TRAGEDY IN LEWISTON
A year after the Lewiston mass shooting, six portraits of grief
18 people were killed, 13 were shot and survived, and many others witnessed the deadliest attack in Maine’s history. A year later, we look at how some have navigated the aftermath.
Lewiston counseling center helps community navigate grief from mass shooting
The Maine Resiliency Center opened just 19 days after the mass shooting and has become a critical resource for more than 400 people. Some are trying to keep it open permanently.
Sister of Lewiston shooting victim sues US government, saying massacre could have been prevented
Bobbi Nichols’ sister, Tricia Asselin, was shot and killed at Just-In-Time Recreation on Oct. 25, 2023, during Maine’s deadliest mass shooting.
Lewiston nonprofit returns shooting relief money as national group sets up new fund
The Root Cellar will donate more than $65,000 to VictimsFirst, matching funds it received after the Oct. 25, 2023, mass shootings.
Hundreds gather in Lewiston to remember 2023 mass shooting: ‘Like it happened yesterday’
No matter how big the crowd got, it still seemed like everyone there had a personal connection to the tragedy of Oct. 25, 2023.
Bowling, billiard balls become art in honor of Lewiston shooting victims
The items were recovered from the 2 locations of the mass shooting, which took place two years ago Saturday.
New LA Arts sculpture commemorates those lost to Lewiston mass shooting
The community art project was designed to help people process their grief.
Lewiston mass shooting survivors, families sue over Army’s failure to prevent mass shooting
More than 100 victims of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting had filed a notice of claims against the federal government last fall and are now suing in U.S. District Court for an unspecified amount of monetary damages.
Texas nonprofit again questions use of Lewiston shooting victims fund
A nonprofit born out of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is urging the Maine Attorney General’s Office to revisit how more than $6 million in Lewiston shooting relief donations were distributed.
Lewiston mass shooting heroes honored by Maine State Police
The Walker-Deslauriers Memorial Award is named in memory of Jason Walker and Michael Deslauriers II, who died Oct. 25, 2023, while trying to stop the shooter at Just-In-Time Recreation in Lewiston.
Federal grant will keep support center open for Lewiston shooting victims
The $8.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice will cover costs through January and Maine lawmakers are considering whether to provide state funding to keep the Maine Resiliency Center running next year.
Podcast series on Lewiston mass shooting now available in American Sign Language
The innovative videos are part of an effort by Maine Public, FRONTLINE and the Press Herald to make the award-winning investigative podcast on the Lewiston mass shooting accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Survivors of Lewiston mass shooting urge Maine Legislature to fund support center
Lawmakers heard emotional testimony about a bill that would provide $3.4 million to keep the Maine Resiliency Center open, especially since the status of a federal grant is uncertain.
Key details in forensic evaluation of Lewiston shooter redacted from public release
A long-awaited review of the Lewiston mass shooter conducted by Walter Reed National Military Center may contain a second opinion on what led to his violent behavior — but heavy redactions make it impossible to know.
Lewiston shooting commission chair recaps ‘profound’ fact-finding mission
Daniel Wathen said he believes the commission’s report has established a ‘common set of facts’ that policymakers, law enforcement and others can use going forward.
The other Cards: the guilt and grief of loving a mass shooter
Members of the Bowdoin family are among the few relatives of a mass shooter to ever talk openly about their experience.
What the Lewiston shooter’s brain injury can tell us about blast exposure in the military
Experts say the gunman’s brain tissue points to traumatic injury ‘likely’ caused by blasts in the line of duty; the Army disagrees but is taking steps to limit exposure.
Police use of Maine’s yellow flag law spiked in final months of 2024
Gun reform advocates are aiming to force a red flag law referendum that they say would better protect society against gun violence.
Our View: Maine must confront old challenges in the new year
We have to do more than hope for progress on solutions to our most vexing issues.
Gun safety advocates credit Maine for post-Lewiston reforms
The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence upgraded its assessment of Maine’s gun laws from a D-minus to a C-plus based on laws passed this year, while also calling for more action.
Our View: FRONTLINE documentary cuts to heart of Lewiston tragedy
This valuable production further brings to life the pain suffered – and the glaring need for Maine to leave behind the “yellow flag” law.
Watch: ‘Breakdown in Maine,’ a FRONTLINE documentary
FRONTLINE, the Portland Press Herald and Maine Public present a one-hour documentary film on the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history and the missed opportunities to prevent it.
Sen. King introduces bill to study low-level blast injuries on military personnel
The Lewiston shooter who killed 18 people in October had been exposed to thousands of low-level blasts during years of grenade training.
Advocates say red flag gun safety petition got big boost on Election Day
The Gun Safety Coalition of Maine wants to make it easier for family members to petition a court to take firearms away from loved ones deemed a danger to themselves or others.
How one Lewiston family commemorated the mass shooting anniversary
The Strouts gathered on Oct. 25 to remember their husband, son, father and brother, Arthur ‘Artie’ Strout one year after he was killed.
A year after Lewiston’s mass shooting, advocates still seek better communication for Deaf and hard of hearing
Progress has been made, with more to do, as institutions work to remove obstacles that on Oct. 25 and the following days led to confusion, anxiety and additional ‘trauma.’
How Maine’s novel ‘yellow flag’ law endured after the Lewiston mass shooting
Maine’s law is a compromise rooted in a tradition of gun rights that crosses the political aisle.
Maine’s yellow flag law has been used much more often in year since Lewiston mass shooting
Meanwhile, gun reform advocates are collecting signatures to force a ballot initiative that would ask voters to approve a stronger red flag law.
A year after Maine’s deadliest shooting, Lewiston searching for light in the darkness
More than 900 people gathered to remember victims of a mass shooting and honor those who helped.
Bates College community comes together for Oct. 25 remembrance service
‘Grief is complicated,’ offered one student. ‘Hope is just a quiet resilience.’
Lewiston, Auburn students bond over grief, hope
Rallying behind the ‘Lewiston Strong’ slogan, students and educators in Twin Cities set out to thank and recognize the first responders that came to Lewiston’s aid at its darkest hour.
Sports serve a greater purpose for Lewiston and Auburn athletes and coaches since shooting
One year after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, athletes and others share memories of Oct. 25, 2023, the ways they’ve coped with grief, found happiness through teammates and honored the victims.
Lewiston lives lost: Stories of the 18 people killed in the mass shooting
The victims at Just-in-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille ranged in age from 14 to 76. They will forever be associated with the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history. But they had rich lives worth remembering apart from that terrible night.
Obituaries
2023 Photos of the Year: Maine in mourning
On the night of Oct. 25, minutes after Lewiston police began fielding calls about multiple shootings in the city, the newspapers of the Maine Trust for Local News mobilized as one newsroom to learn everything we could about what would turn out to be the deadliest shooting in Maine history. On that night, 18 people…
Press Herald partners with Frontline to investigate Lewiston mass shooting
The newsroom will undertake an accountability investigation into Maine’s deadliest mass shooting.
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