A teen bowler, a shipbuilder and a sign language interpreter are among the Maine shooting victims
These photos provided by the Maine Department of Public Safety shows victims of the Maine Shooting, Top from left, Ronald G. Morin, Peyton Brewer-Ross, Joshua A. Seal, Bryan M. MacFarlane, Joseph Lawrence Walker, Arthur Fred Strout. Second row from left, Maxx A. Hathaway, Stephen M. Vozzella, Thomas Ryan Conrad, Michael R. Deslauiers II, Jason Adam, Tricia C. Asselin. Third Row from left, William A. Young, Aaron Young, Robert E. Violette and Lucille M. Violette, William Frank, Keith D. Macneir.
A mourner attends a candlelight vigil for the victims of this week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Lisbon Falls, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in nearby Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday. The body of suspected shooter Robert Card was found not far from the site of the vigil.
People gather at a vigil in Lisbon Falls, Maine, for the victims of this week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
RETRANMISSION TO CORRECT LOCATION - Tammy Asselin, who was at Just-in-Time Recreation bowling alley with her daughter, Toni, during the recent mass shooting, wipes her face during an interview in Lewiston, Maine, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
Mourners embrace at a vigil for the victims of mass shootings several days earlier, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine.
A man walks past a make-shift memorial at the base of the Lewiston sign at Veteran's Memorial Park, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The community is working to heal following shooting deaths of 18 people at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
People gather at a vigil in Lisbon Falls, Maine, for the victims of this week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
At a makeshift memorial shows images of members of the deaf community who were killed in the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Bill Brackett, who's son Billy was killed at the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille speaks during an interview in front of a makeshift memorial in Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Bonnie Caron shows a photo of Artie Strout, the father of her first child, at her home in Sabattus, Maine, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Strout was killed in a shooting in a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday.
Jess Paquette expresses her support for her city in the wake of Wednesday's mass shootings at a restaurant and bowling alley, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. Police continue their manhunt for the suspect. Authorities urged residents to lock themselves in their homes and schools announced closures on Thursday.
Victims of a mass shooting in this week's mass shootings, are displayed as Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck speaks during a news conference in Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Shooting suspect Robert Card, a firearms instructor who grew up in the area, was found dead Friday, in nearby Lisbon Falls.
A woman places flowers outside the crime scene tape at Schemengees Bar & Grille, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The community is working to heal following mass shootings at the bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
People gather at a vigil in Lisbon Falls, Maine, for the victims of this week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
People gather at a vigil in Lisbon Falls, Maine, for victims of the week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
People gather at a vigil in Lisbon Falls, Maine, for the victims of this week's mass shootings, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Bill Brackett, who's son Billy was killed at the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille speaks during an interview in Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
Members of the New Apostolic Church sing and pray at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
People pay their respects at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Members of the New Apostolic Church pray at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Members of the New Apostolic Church sing and pray at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Members of the New Apostolic Church sing at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Members of the New Apostolic Church sing at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
Members of the New Apostolic Church sing a pray at a makeshift memorial outside a bowling alley, the site of one of this week's mass shootings, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. A gunman killed multiple people at the bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday.
The 18 people killed in two mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, included a 14-year-old bowler, a shipbuilder who loved playing the game of cornhole and a sign language interpreter.
According to Maine State Police, seven people died Wednesday night at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley. Eight more people died at Schemengees Bar & Grille. Three others died after being taken to hospitals.
The victims were remembered Sunday evening during a standing-room-only vigil at the Lewiston basilica that was attended by Gov. Janet Mills and the state鈥檚 entire congressional delegation. A bell tolled after each name was read aloud.
WILLIAM BRACKETT
William Brackett, who went by Billy, didn鈥檛 let being deaf interfere with anything he wanted to do, including playing multiple sports, said his father, also named William Brackett.
Basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, he loved all of them. As a teenager, he served as a batboy for a high school baseball team and would stand in the dugout teaching the players sign language. As an adult, he taught children how to play basketball in a summer recreation program.
鈥淗e was just a gentle person. He was big and rugged and I guess maybe that鈥檚 why all the little kids loved him,鈥 his father said. 鈥淭hey swarmed to a bigger person. Maybe they thought, 鈥楬e鈥檒l be our protector.'鈥
More recently, Billy, 48, was teaching his young daughter how to fish.
鈥淭he attention span of a 2陆-year-old isn鈥檛 great, and if she got a fish, she didn鈥檛 want to touch it. But he was teaching her, and she was paying attention,鈥 his father said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the way he was,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f it was your kid, he鈥檇 be doing the same thing.鈥
At Sunday鈥檚 vigil, Kevin Bohlin, a Deaf community leader, signed Brackett鈥檚 name along with the three other deaf Mainers who were killed. Bohlin demonstrated the ASL sign for 鈥淚 love you鈥 and asked mourners to repeat it to each other.
BILL AND AARON YOUNG
Bill Young, 44, of Winthrop, had taken his 14-year-old son, Aaron, to play in a youth bowling league at Just-in-Time Recreation. Both died.
鈥淏ill was a man dedicated to his family,鈥 his cousin, Kim McConville, told The Associated Press via social media. 鈥淗e was a master auto mechanic. Always trying to be a funny guy.鈥
Aaron was an avid bowler who had received recognition from the youth league.
In a statement, the superintendent of Winthrop Public Schools confirmed that a high school freshman and his dad were among those killed. Jim Hodgkin鈥檚 statement said an uncle of another high school student was also killed.
鈥淭his is tremendous tragedy for our area, our town, our students, and everyone. This is uncharted territory,鈥 Hodgkin said.
PEYTON BREWER-ROSS
A dedicated pipefitter at Bath Iron Works, Peyton Brewer-Ross is survived by a partner, young daughter and friends, said members of his union.
Brewer-Ross, of Bath, was doing something he loved 鈥 playing cornhole and enjoying friends 鈥 when he was shot to death at the bar, his brother said.
鈥淗e was a character. He didn鈥檛 meet anyone he didn鈥檛 like,鈥 Wellman Brewer said of his younger brother.
Brewer-Ross loved the game of cornhole so much that he brought out the angled boards and beanbags at family gatherings, his brother said.
He said his fun-loving brother was the life of the party.
鈥淗e has a Randy 鈥楳acho Man鈥 Savage Slim Jim jacket that he wore,鈥 Brewer said, an apparel choice that originated with a flamboyant professional wrestler. 鈥淣ot too many people could pull that off.鈥
Brewer-Ross and his fianc茅 Rachael had just celebrated the second birthday of their daughter Elle two weeks earlier.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a hole in our family now where he used to be. And it鈥檚 going to hurt for a while,鈥 Brewer said.
JOSHUA SEAL
Joshua Seal, a sign language interpreter, was shot and killed while playing in a cornhole tournament at Schemengees with other members of the Deaf community.
His wife, Elizabeth Seal, said in a Facebook post that he was 鈥渁 wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate. He was also a wonderful boss, an incredible interpreter, a great friend, a loving son, brother, uncle, and grandson.鈥
鈥淚t is with a heavy heart that I share with you all that Joshua Seal has passed away鈥 no, he was murdered, in the 10/25 shooting in Lewiston. It still feels surreal,鈥 she wrote.
ROBERT AND LUCILLE VIOLETTE
Retiree Bob Violette, 76, and his wife Lucille, 73, died in the shootings. Bob devoted himself to his volunteer job coaching the youth bowling league that was practicing that night, said Patrick Poulin, whose teenage son has been a member for three years.
鈥淗e鈥檚 taught so many people over the years how to bowl, and he wasn鈥檛 getting paid,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e really been focused on trying to keep the sport alive, and Bob was really an integral part of that.鈥
Lucille Violette was a longtime employee for Lewiston Public Schools and bowled in a women鈥檚 league and a couple鈥檚 league with Bob, according to her obituary. She was almost always at the bowling alley for youth bowling league days and extra practice sessions on Wednesday nights. She was lovingly referred to by some as the 鈥測outh league mom,鈥 because she offering kindness and nurturing to all and made close bonds with children and families, according to her obituary.
Poulin described Bob Violette as unfailingly approachable and caring.
鈥淪ometimes kids are having a hard time for whatever reason, discouraged or something,鈥 he said. 鈥淗e was great at picking them up and getting them to move along from that issue and get things going in the right direction.鈥
Two weeks ago, Poulin was at the bowling center with his son and offered him some tips. His son resisted, but eventually took the advice and bowled a great game.
鈥淵ou gave him some good instructions, so when are you going to get out here and coach with me?鈥 Violette asked him.
Poulin replied that he鈥檇 have to think about it. Asked Thursday if he鈥檇 consider it now, he said, 鈥淪omeone鈥檚 got to step back in.鈥
MICHAEL DESLAURIERS II AND JASON WALKER
Best friends Michael Deslauriers and Jason Walker were shot at Just-in-Time Recreation.
鈥淭hey made sure their wives and several young children were under cover then they charged the shooter,鈥 Deslauriers鈥 father, who shares the same name as his son, posted online.
Walker and Deslauriers鈥 father had worked together for the Sabattus Historical Society in Maine 鈥渂y capturing the personal stories of senior citizens in our community鈥 over the last few years, the historical society posted.
鈥淗e freely volunteered his time and expertise to our society to capture the history of our town.鈥
鈥淚 was not the least bit surprised to hear that he and his best friend since kindergarten lost their lives trying to protect others,鈥 Deslauriers鈥 sister, Vicki Deslauriers Roy, posted online. 鈥淚 take comfort in knowing that they went together.鈥
Deslauriers and Walker were both 51.
JOE WALKER
Joe Walker was the bar manager at Schemengees Bar & Grille. His father, Auburn City Councilor Leroy Walker, told NBC News on Thursday that his son was shot twice in the stomach as he went after the shooter with a butcher knife.
鈥淗e died as a hero,鈥 he said.
On Sunday, Leroy Walker was greeting people at a trick-or-treat event hosted by an organization he leads. He smiled broadly when the kids hugged him, and accepted hugs from community members.
But he became emotional when he spoke of his son, Joseph, who normally would鈥檝e joined him at the event.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a tough few days, trust me. The heart doesn鈥檛 stop bleeding,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 miss him every minute. I miss him more every day.鈥
TRICIA ASSELIN
Tricia Asselin worked part time at the Just-in-Time Recreation bowling alley. She had Wednesday night off but went bowling with her sister.
When she realized shots were being fired inside the bowling alley, Asselin, 53, went to call 911, but was shot and killed, relatives said.
Asselin 鈥渉ad a great passion for life鈥 and was a loving mother, 鈥渢he most caring person there was,鈥 her mother, Alicia Lachance, told NBC News.
Asselin鈥檚 cousin, Tammy Asselin, was at the bowling alley with her own daughter Toni, who played in a youth bowling league on Wednesdays. They knew Tricia worked there, but they hadn鈥檛 seen her yet that night.
When she heard the gunfire, Tammy Asselin couldn鈥檛 find her daughter and then tripped on some bowling bags and fell. Tammy and others tried to hide, getting a table to flip over and act as a wall near a corner booth. Her daughter had gotten to an exit and was safe, she found later.
鈥淚 never prayed so hard in my life as I did that night,鈥 she said.
She was later told that Tricia didn鈥檛 make it. She remembered her cousin as 鈥渢he most fun person. She was always happy-go-lucky,鈥 according to ABC News.
ARTHUR STROUT
Arthur Strout was playing pool with his father at the bar. His son wanted to stay and play a couple more games, but his father, Arthur Barnard, left shortly before the shooting.
鈥淚 said, 鈥極K,鈥 and he said 鈥業 love you,鈥 because all my kids tell me that every time we see each other,鈥 Barnard told CBS News. 鈥淭en minutes later, I get a phone call.鈥
Strout, 42, and his wife, Kristy, had a blended family of five children.
鈥淗e鈥檚 helped me raise my children since they were very, very little,鈥 Kristy Strout told CBS. 鈥淗is daughter鈥檚 only 13 and without a dad because of all of this. Because of one man鈥檚 choices, my daughter has to grow up without a father.鈥
Strout was a family-oriented person who loved playing pool and cooking Italian food, Bonnie Caron, the mother of his 23-year-old son, told the AP.
鈥淗e was murdered doing something he loved,鈥 Caron said. 鈥淗e was just all about having fun.鈥
BRYAN McFARLANE
Bryan McFarlane, 41, a commercial truck driver and a member of the Deaf community, was playing a cornhole tournament at the bar.
McFarlane grew up in Maine. He spent a lot of time in Vermont, where he became one of the first deaf people in the state to get a commercial truck driver鈥檚 license, according to his sister, Keri Brooks. A favorite companion on the road was his dog, M&M, named after his favorite candy.
McFarlane would go to the bar every Wednesday to play cornhole, Brooks said.
鈥淗e was so dependable,鈥 Brooks, who is also deaf, told WCSH-TV. 鈥淗e just loved socializing with the Deaf community, with his friends. He would give the shirt off of his back to anybody.鈥
STEPHEN VOZZELLA
Stephen Vozzella, 45, a U.S. Postal Service worker and a member of a deaf cornhole league, was playing with friends at the bar.
鈥淗e had much more life to live before it was stolen from him in an all-too-common senseless act of gun violence,鈥 Brian Renfroe, the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, said in a statement. Vozzella was a member of branch 241 of the labor union.
Vozzella also was a member of New England Deaf Cornhole, which planned to have a moment of silence for him at an upcoming tournament in November. The organization said he brought excitement and a huge smile to the game.
THOMAS CONRAD
Thomas Conrad, 34, worked as general manager at the bowling alley.
A co-worker said what he remembers most about Conrad is 鈥渉is love of the kids.鈥
鈥淓very kid that came in, he wanted to make sure they had the best time they ever did at the bowling alley,鈥 Josh D鈥橝ngelos told WGME-TV. D鈥橝ngelos was not working that night.
Organizers of a fundraiser for his family said Conrad served in the U.S. Army, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
MAXX HATHAWAY
Maxx Hathaway, 35, was a stay-at-home dad with two daughters and a third on the way.
Hathaway, who enjoyed playing pool, was at the bar. His wife, Brenda, had left earlier when one of their children started to get fussy, The Boston Globe reported.
鈥淗e was a goofy, down-to-earth person, loved to joke around and always had an uplifting attitude no matter what was going on,鈥 his sister, Kelsay Hathaway, said in a fundraising request online.
Hathaway had been working on completing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration at the University of Southern Maine, his family said in a statement provided to WCSH-TV. He had just received his diploma in the mail on the day he was killed, it said.
KEITH MACNEIR
Keith Macneir, 64, of south Florida, was celebrating his birthday by visiting his son in Maine.
His son, Breslin Macneir, said he had asked his father to wait for him at the bar while he attended a meeting for about an hour.
鈥淗e was a good guy. He just wanted everybody to have as much fun as he was having,鈥 Breslin Macneir told NBC.
鈥淎lways did his best to try and take care of people around him, and, you know, just one of the everybody else to have as much fun as he was having,鈥 he said.
Keith Macneir had worked for the Virgin Islands National Park, most recently as the chief of maintenance, his son said.
RONALD MORIN
Ronald Morin, 55, who was shot at the bar, is being remembered as a devoted family man.
He 鈥渉ad such an infectious personality,鈥 one of his sisters, Tanya Morissette, wrote in a fundraising request for his family.
鈥淭o know Ron, was to instantly love him,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e was a man who always put others before himself and looked for the humor and positivity in even the most tragic circumstances. He has touched so many lives who are trying to reach out and provide support for his family however they are able.鈥
Morin worked as a sales merchandiser for Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast. He was an avid ice and floor hockey, softball, and cornhole player, and liked to umpire softball, according to his obituary.
SURVIVORS
Thirteen others were wounded in the two mass shootings, including a 16-year-old, a man who helped get youth bowlers out a back door to safety and a father of two young girls.
GAVIN ROBITAILLE
Gavin Robitaille, 16, of Auburn, was shot while at the bowling alley and is being treated at Mass General for Children, a hospital in Boston.
He underwent emergency surgery before he was transferred to Boston, according to a fundraising page set up by a friend. More surgeries were planned 鈥渢o reconstruct his shattered arm and extensive muscle and nerve damage,鈥 the page states.
Robitaille, a sophomore at Edward Little High School in Auburn, played competitive baseball as a pitcher and enjoyed golfing with his dad and brother.
The hospital said Wednesday that Robitaille is in good condition and released a statement from his parents, who said they know the road ahead will be difficult but that their son鈥檚 optimism continues to lift them up.
鈥淥ur family has been tested in ways we never imagined,鈥 they wrote, adding that they鈥檙e extremely fortunate their son鈥檚 prognosis is positive. They thanked the first responders and medical teams for saving him and others.
鈥淲e know many other families are mourning at this time,鈥 the family said, 鈥渁nd to each who experienced loss, we send our thoughts and prayers every day.鈥
JENNIFER ZANCA
Jennifer Zanca was having dinner with three friends at Schemengees when she was shot.
鈥淚 was shot in the arm and it was an assault rifle. It went through my shoulder, it shattered my humerus and my bicep is kind of gone,鈥 the retired nurse and mother of two children told WBZ-TV.
She said the terror that night was horrible.
鈥淲e all went to the ground. We crawled around a wall but that鈥檚 when I was hit. I followed one of the other girls I was with,鈥 she said. 鈥淪omeone asked me how I crawled: pure adrenaline. It鈥檚 horrific. It鈥檚 just beyond what I ever could have imagined happening.鈥
Zanca then ran outside and hid behind a Dumpster until police got there. A nearby neighbor drove her to the hospital, she said.
鈥淎t that point, I didn鈥檛 really think I would make it. I knew I was hit and I thought I was bleeding pretty badly,鈥 she said.
Her three friends survived, including one who hid in a closet and another who dropped to the floor with a chair over her head and acted as if she was dead.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 get out alive, but I did, and I am grateful,鈥 Zanca told the station. 鈥淢any people didn鈥檛 and my heart just goes out to those families that lost loved ones there.鈥
THOMAS GIBERTI
Thomas Giberti, a past manager at the bowling alley, was watching the youth bowling league with coach and friend Bob Violette when he went in the back to get a screwdriver, according to an online fundraising page for his family set up by his nephew. When he came out, 鈥渉e was greeted with bright flashes of light from the muzzle of a gun,鈥 the page states. He motioned for the kids to come to him and got them out the back door to safety, but as the last child was going through the door, Giberti was shot in the legs, according to the GoFundMe page.
As he tried to crawl from the doorway, he was shot again multiple times in the legs. Giberti was able to close the door and crawl to the back wall where another bowler helped to apply tourniquets to his legs, the page states.
鈥淭he quick thinking and actions of my uncle undoubtedly saved the lives of multiple children that day,鈥 wrote his nephew Will Bourgault.
Giberti will need to undergo multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, the page states.
KYLE SECOR
Kyle Secor was shot multiple times while playing cornhole at Schemengees, according to an online fundraising page set up for his family.
The husband and father of two young daughters is a former hockey player for the Lewiston/Auburn Nordiques and continues to support the program, the page states.
鈥淗e鈥檚 the heart, joy, and happiness in everyone鈥檚 day. Never shy to smile or make someone laugh, and he is the life of the party,鈥 the fundraising page states. 鈥淩ight now, his family needs our help. So much is unknown at the current time, but what is certain is that this will be a long recovery that will put Kyle out of work for the weeks to come.鈥
STEVE RICHARDS KRETLOW
Steve Richards Kretlow, of Winthrop, was playing in a cornhole tournament with some members of the Deaf community at Schemengees when he was shot and injured. The husband and father of three was taken to a hospital and underwent knee surgery, according to an online fundraising page set up for him and his wife.
鈥淭his day made a huge impact on the deaf community and changed so many lives forever,鈥 daughter Vanessa Richards wrote on the page.
JUSTIN KARCHER
Justin Karcher was shot multiple times at Schemengees. He had just bought his first house that day, according to an online fundraising page set up to help him with medical bills.
He is fighting his way through, his sister wrote on the page.
鈥淚鈥檓 asking for some help so he doesn鈥檛 have to stress more then he already has to when and if he comes home,鈥 she wrote on the fundraising page.
This story has been updated to correct the following: Giberti鈥檚 fundraising page creator to nephew not cousin; one of the victims鈥 names to Joshua Seal, not Sears; the age of Strout鈥檚 son to 23, not 24; another victim鈥檚鈥 name to Lucille Violette, not Luceille; and the name of the bowling alley to Just-In-Time Recreation, not Sparetime Recreation.
___ Associated Press researcher Rhonda Shafner and reporters David Sharp, Michelle Smith, Alanna Durkin Richer, Robert Bumsted and Claudia Lauer contributed to this report.
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