Eight years have passed since the tragic shooting at 888 Bestgate in Annapolis, where five journalists were killed on June 28, 2018. For many, including former Capital Gazette editor Rick Hutzell, the site remains a painful reminder of that dark day.
Hutzell, who now writes for The Baltimore Banner, shared his experience of returning to the building during a recent visit to Annapolis. Despite his efforts to avoid the area, he found himself compelled to confront the memories associated with the location when invited to an interview at the same address.
The week leading up to the anniversary was particularly poignant for Hutzell, as it marked the first time he had not been in Annapolis around the date of the shooting since it occurred. He reflected on the profound changes he has experienced over the years, shaped by grief and the memories of his colleagues—Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters—who lost their lives that day.
In the years following the tragedy, Hutzell has continued to honor the legacy of his fallen friends by advocating for journalism and the importance of a free press. He recounted how the gunman, who had previously targeted the newspaper through harassment, ultimately took violent action against the newsroom.
As he drove past 888 Bestgate, Hutzell felt a mix of emotions, grappling with the memories of the past while trying to move forward. He noted the changes to the building, including the presence of a coffee shop where the newsroom once stood, and the replacement of the doors that bore the scars of the attack.
On the anniversary of the shooting, Hutzell encouraged others to remember not only the victims but also the resilience of those who survived and the importance of community response in the face of violence. He emphasized that while the past holds significant weight, it is ultimately the present and future that define us.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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