News industry honors victims of Capital Gazette shooting

The news industry reacted with horror and sadness to the deadly shooting Thursday at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.

Five were killed in the shooting: Rob Hiassen, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, John McNamara and Rebecca Smith.

Suspect Jarrod Ramos was being held without bond on murder charges as of Sunday. Law enforcement sources say Ramos launched an attack on the paper because he was angry about its coverage of his 2011 conviction for harassing a former classmate. Ramos sued the paper, but a judged tossed his lawsuit.


Here are some details on those killed:

Rob Hiaasen was a columnist and assistant editor. A former reporter for The Baltimore Sun, Hiaasen also write for The Washington Post and The Huffington Post. Hiassen was the brother of author Carl Hiaasen. He was 59.

Wendi Winters, 65, came to the newspaper following a career in fashion and public relations, according to the Baltimore Sun. The mother of four quickly became known as an energetic freelance reporter and knowledgeable source about local events in the community.

Gerald Fischman was “the conscience and voice” of the paper colleagues said, paying tribute to the eccentric and “brilliant” editorial page editor. Fischman, 61, had been at the paper since 1992, where he was known for an incisive intellect and trademark cardigans, according to the Baltimore Sun. 

Rebecca Smith was a sales assistant who was a recent hire at the newspaper. The 34-year-old joined the Capital Gazette after working in marketing for a healthcare organization, according to the Sun. She grew up in the Baltimore area and lived in eastern Baltimore County with her fiance.

John “Mac” McNamara loved covering sports for the Gazette. He had recently returned to covering news as an editor and reporter at the Bowie Blade-News and the Crofton-West County Gazette, according to the Sun. But his social media posts show that sports held a special place in his heart. He was 56.

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