Maine marking one year since worst mass shooting in its history

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Lewiston, Maine marks 1 twelvemonth since gunman killed 18 successful state's worst shooting

Lewiston, Maine marks 1 twelvemonth since gunman killed 18 successful state's worst shooting 01:48

Lewiston, Maine — With flags lowered crossed nan state, Maine residents whose consciousness of information was shattered past twelvemonth by nan deadliest wide shooting successful nan state's history planned to people nan time Friday successful ways large and small, including a planned memorial service.

The killings of 18 people by an Army reservist successful Lewiston drove location nan stark reality that nary area of nan state is safe from weapon violence, including a authorities wherever group often boast of nan debased crime rate.

The largest of nan gatherings was expected astatine nan city's lucky arena, wherever location were to beryllium moments of soundlessness astatine nan clip of nan shootings.

Community has emerged arsenic an important constituent of nan grieving process since nan shootings, Elizabeth Seal said done a motion connection expert astatine an arena pinch victims and survivors past week. Seal's husband, Joshua Seal, was killed successful nan shootings.

"Once justness is served, I consciousness possibly we tin commencement that process of healing," Seal said done nan interpreter. "But successful nan meantime, we're going to enactment 'Lewiston Strong.'"

Seal and dozens of different survivors and relatives of victims precocious began nan general process of suing nan U.S. Army for what they opportunity was a nonaccomplishment to enactment to extremity nan 40-year-old reservist, Robert Card.

The shootings connected Oct. 25, 2023, happened astatine a bowling alley and a cornhole tourney hosted by a barroom and grill. Card died by suicide, and his assemblage was recovered 2 days later.

Justin Juray, proprietor of nan Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley wherever nan shooting began, said nan venue would adjacent for nan time Friday to fto unit beryllium pinch their families. He said it had been a reliable week arsenic nan time approached, and Friday would beryllium peculiarly hard.

"We don't request activity to adhd to their stress," he said. Juray and his wife, Samantha, reopened nan bowling alley successful May, six months aft nan shooting. Two unit members were among nan 8 group killed there.

All told, much than 130 group were coming astatine nan 2 sites, according to nan state's head of unfortunate services. In summation to nan 18 killed, location were 13 wounded by gunfire and 20 non-shooting injuries.

The gunman's family and chap Army reservists reported that he was suffering from a intelligence breakdown.

In nan aftermath of nan shooting, nan Maine Legislature passed caller weapon laws that bolstered nan state's "yellow flag" statute, criminalized nan transportation of guns to prohibited group and expanded backing for intelligence wellness situation care.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said nan treatment isn't over.

"As we proceed down nan agelong and difficult roadworthy to recovery, fto america punctual ourselves that we are not alone, that we are 'Lewiston Strong,' and that we will proceed to heal, together," she said.

"Lewiston Strong" took disconnected successful nan days pursuing nan calamity and continues to inspire, reports CBS Portland, Maine connection WGME-TV.

The Maine People's Alliance has kept up its "Lewiston Strong" sign, a changeless reminder that's led to contemplation.

"What does it mean anyhow and what comes adjacent aft you've declared yourself to beryllium strong?" asked nan alliance's Carrie Jadud.

"How do we beryllium beardown for each different and for ourselves? But much importantly, really are we healing, treatment ourselves, treatment each other, treatment arsenic a community?" Jadud reflected.