LEWISTON, Maine– With flags lowered across the state, Maine residents whose sense of security was shattered by a mass shooting last year planned to mark the anniversary Friday in ways big and small, including a planned memorial service.
The murder of 18 people by an army reservist in Lewiston, the stark reality made clear that no corner of the country is safe from gun violence, including a state where people often brag about its low crime rate.
The largest gathering was expected at the city’s hockey arena, where there would be moments of silence at the time of the shooting.
Community has become an important part of the grieving process since the shooting, Elizabeth Seal said through a sign language interpreter at an event with victims and survivors last week. Seal’s husband, Joshua Seal, was killed in the shootings.
“Once justice is served, I think maybe we can start that healing process,” Seal said through the interpreter. “But in the meantime, we remain Lewiston Strong.”
Seal and dozens of other survivors and relatives of victims recently began the formal process sue the US military for what they say was a failure to act to stop 40-year-old reservist Robert Card.
The Oct. 25, 2023, shootings occurred at a bowling alley and a cornhole tournament hosted by a bar and grill. Card died by suicide, and his body was found two days later.
Justin Juray, owner of the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley where the shooting began, said the location would close for the day Friday to allow staff to be with their families. He said it had been a tough week as the anniversary approached, and Friday would be particularly difficult.
“We don’t need work to add to their stress,” he said. Juray and his wife Samantha, the bowling alley reopened in Maysix months after the shooting. Two staff members were among the eight people who died there.
According to the state director of victim services, a total of more than 130 people were present at the two locations. In addition to the 18 deaths, there were 13 gunfire injuries and 20 non-shooting injuries.
The gunman’s family and fellow Army reservists reported that he suffered a nervous breakdown. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Maine Legislature passed new gun laws who strengthened the state “yellow flag” lawcriminalized the transfer of weapons to banned people and expanded funding for mental health crisis care.
Democratic Governor Janet Mills said the healing is not over.
“As we continue the long and difficult road to recovery, let us remind ourselves that we are not alone, that we are ‘Lewiston Strong,’ and that we will continue to heal together,” she said.
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Associated Press visual journalists Robert F. Bukaty, Rodrique Ngowi and Nick Perry contributed to this report.