Today marks 2 years since the Annapolis Maryland newsroom shooting at the Capital Gazette. Maryland has announced plans for a memorial to honor and remember the lives that were lost on that day.
Maryland plans to award $300,000 for the construction of a new memorial honoring the “Guardians of Free Speech” as the statue will be called. The memorial will be located in an Annapolis park in Maryland, and will pay tribute to the slain Capital Gazette employees John McNamara, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen, and Rebecca Smith.
This brand new memorial will be unveiled in June 2021 on the three year anniversary of the shooting in which the employees were slain by a gunman who burst into the Annapolis newsroom and opened fire. The gunman pleaded guilty in the killings, but 5 employees had lost their lives.
The “Guardians of Free Speech” memorial will include five pillars in front of the text of the First Amendment carved in stone.
Today Marks 2 Years Since Annapolis Newsroom Shooting
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Flowers, flags and hand-written notes are gathered in a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Flowers and hand-written notes and signs are placed at a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the five employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Five wood markers stand in a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Multiple People Shot In Capital-Gazette Newspaper Building In Annapolis
ShareANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - JUNE 28, 2018: Police respond to a shooting on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. - At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington. A reporter for the daily, Phil Davis, tweeted that a 'gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.''There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,' Davis said. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
Multiple People Shot In Capital-Gazette Newspaper Building In Annapolis
ShareANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - JUNE 28, 2018: Police respond to a shooting on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. - At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington. A reporter for the daily, Phil Davis, tweeted that a 'gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.''There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,' Davis said. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
Multiple People Shot In Capital-Gazette Newspaper Building In Annapolis
ShareANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - JUNE 28, 2018: Police respond to a shooting on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. - At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington. A reporter for the daily, Phil Davis, tweeted that a 'gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.''There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,' Davis said. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: Kylie Miles holds a sign that reads Annapolis Strong while walking down Main St. during a candlelight vigil to honor the 5 people were shot and killed at the Capital Gazette newpaper yesterday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: A newspaper vending machine sells copies of The Capitol, with stories about last week's shooting at the community newspaper's office July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Flowers and hand-written notes and signs are placed at a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the five employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Caitlin Reiss sets five bunches of sunflowers at a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the five employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Flowers and hand-written notes and signs are placed at a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the five employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Wood stars decorated by children with messages of hope hang in a tree above a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Wood stars decorated by children with messages of hope hang in a tree above a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: Five wood markers stand in a makeshift memorial outside the Annapolis Capitol Gazette offices for the employees killed by a gunman last week July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: Lynne Griffin pays her respects at a makeshift memorial near the Capital Gazette where 5 people were shot and killed by a gunman on Thursday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Griffin was a journalism student under John McNamara who was one of the people killed at the paper. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: Lynne Griffin receives a hug from a stranger at makeshift memorial near the Capital Gazette where 5 people were shot and killed by a gunman on Thursday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Griffin was a journalism student under John McNamara who was one of the people killed at the paper. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
National Press Club Holds Moment Of Silence For Journalists Killed At Newspaper
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 05: National Press Club Executive Director Bill McCarren (C) prepares to lead members and their guests in a moment of silence to honor the victims of last week's shooting at the Annapolis Capital Gazette newspaper July 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. The five victims were Gerald Fischman, 61, an editorial editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor; Wendi Winters, 65, a news reporter and columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paper's newsroom and he is being held without bond on five counts of murder. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Multiple People Shot In Capital-Gazette Newspaper Building In Annapolis
ShareANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - JUNE 28, 2018: Acting chief of police William Krampf speaks at a press conference about the Capital-Gazette shooting on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington. A reporter for the daily, Phil Davis, tweeted that a 'gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.''There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,' Davis said. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
Annapolis Mourns The Loss Of Capital-Gazette Employees Killed By Gunman
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JULY 02: The Capital newspaper's logo is stenciled onto a newspaper vending machine following last week's shooting at the community newspaper's office July 2, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Gerald Fischman, 61, the newsroomÕs editorial page editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an editor and features columnist; John McNamara, 56, a sports reporter and editor for the local weekly papers; Wendi Winters, 65, a local news reporter and community columnist; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant; were shot and killed last Thursday by a man who investigators say had a long-running dispute with the newspaper. Police arrested Jarrod Ramos, 38, in the paperÕs newsroom following the shooting and he is being held without bond on murder charges. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: People line up on both sides of Main St. during a candlelight vigil to honor the 5 people were shot and killed at the Capital Gazette newpaper yesterday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: People line up on both sides of Main St. during a candlelight vigil to honor the 5 people were shot and killed at the Capital Gazette newpaper yesterday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: People walk down Main St. during a candlelight vigil to honor the 5 people were shot and killed at the Capital Gazette newpaper yesterday, on June 29, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. Has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
At Least 5 Killed In Shooting At Annapolis Capital-Gazette Newspaper
ShareANNAPOLIS, MD - JUNE 29: Today's edition of the the Capital Gazette for sale on a newspaper stand, on June 289, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. Yesterday 5 people were shot and killed in the daily newspapers newsroom by a lone gunman. Jarrod Ramos of Laurel Md. has been arrested and charged with killing 5 people at the daily newspaper. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
White House Lowers Flags To Half Staff For Victims Of Capital Gazette Shooting
ShareWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: An American flag flies at half-staff on top of the White House July 3, 2018 in Washington, DC. After reports about President Donald Trump's rejection for a flag lowering request from Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley on Monday, the White House ordered U.S. flags to lower to half-staff in remembrance of the mass shooting at The Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Multiple People Shot In Capital-Gazette Newspaper Building In Annapolis
ShareANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - JUNE 28, 2018: Police respond to a shooting on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Maryland. - At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices of the Capital Gazette, a newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington. A reporter for the daily, Phil Davis, tweeted that a 'gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.''There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,' Davis said. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images)
NYPD Deploys Forces To Major Media Outlets After Annapolis Newspaper Shooting
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 28: Members of the New York City Police Department stand outside the headquarters of The New York Times, June 28, 2018 in New York City. NYPD announced increased security in Manhattan at major media companies following a shooting today at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
NYPD Deploys Forces To Major Media Outlets After Annapolis Newspaper Shooting
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 28: Members of the NYPD stand guard in front of ABC headquarters as they increase security in Manhattan at major media companies following a shooting today at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland on June 28, 2018 in New York City. One suspect is in custody after up to five people were reported killed in the shooting at the local newspaper. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
NYPD Deploys Forces To Major Media Outlets After Annapolis Newspaper Shooting
ShareNEW YORK, NY - JUNE 28: A member of the NYPD stands guard in front of ABC headquarters as they increase security in Manhattan at major media companies following a shooting today at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland on June 28, 2018 in New York City. One suspect is in custody after up to five people were reported killed in the shooting at the local newspaper. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)