LEWISTON, Maine — Survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting and family members of victims delivered emotional testimony before the Lewiston City Council this week, pressing for greater transparency and accountability over how millions of dollars raised in the aftermath of the tragedy were distributed.
After more than an hour of public comment and debate, councilors voted 7–0 to table a proposal that would have directed city officials to explore unmet needs among victims and survivors and identify available resources. The measure will return to the agenda at a future meeting after review by the city’s legal counsel.
The discussion comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Maine Community Foundation, which administered a fund created in response to the October 2023 mass shooting that killed 18 people and injured 13 others at Schemengees Bar & Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation.
MCF officials have said $6.8 million was raised and that the money was divided between two funds, one for direct payments to victims and families and another for grants to 29 local nonprofit organizations. They have maintained that there were no administrative costs deducted and that donors were required to designate their contributions for one of the two funds, with undesignated donations split evenly between them.
Several speakers questioned those allocations.
Matthew Baker, who identified himself as a survivor, described fleeing gunfire that night and later receiving $7,000 in compensation. He questioned how two nonprofit organizations each received $65,000 grants while some survivors received less.
“We deserve to understand how the funds were allocated, what criteria was used, and how the decisions were made,” Baker told councilors. “When millions were raised in the name of victims, victims should not be an afterthought.”
Benjamin Dyer, who was shot five times and spent 19 days hospitalized, described long-term physical and financial hardship. He said disability payments did not cover his mortgage and that he returned to work before fully recovering.
“The money you guys raised is missing,” Dyer said, urging the council to “review the wrong and do the right.”
Other residents echoed calls for full public accounting, including disclosure of how much money was raised, how much was distributed to families, how much money went to nonprofits, and whether any funds remain.
Councilors repeatedly emphasized that the city does not have regulatory authority over the Maine Community Foundation, nor subpoena power to compel testimony or records from nonprofits.
“There has been a full disclosure of the money that went into the city, through the city, to the Maine Community Foundation, and from the Maine Community Foundation through its two funds to the victims and the nonprofits, “Councilor Joshua Nagine said, adding that documentation had already been published.
At the same time, several members said they supported examining whether unmet needs remain among survivors and families.
“I think if there are unmet needs, we should figure out what those are and then connect them with resources,” councilor Susan Longchamps said, cautioning that any effort must protect personal privacy and comply with state law.
City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said it would be helpful to define clear goals and measurable outcomes before moving forward, including determining what “success” would look like.
Ultimately, councilors agreed to refer the matter to legal counsel for review to ensure any next steps comply with confidentiality protections and the city’s limited authority. The measure will be returned to the council for further consideration.
Throughout the meeting, emotions ran high, with several speakers describing lasting trauma and frustration over what they view as unanswered questions.
“We can never undo what happened,” one survivor said. “But we can demand accountability.”
Multiple attendees to the meeting stopped this reporter leaving the meeting and said they were “appalled” by the disrespect Council member Scott Harriman showed shooting victim Benjamin Dwyer, when he was speaking. Harriman was not looking at Dwyer, and not at his injuries suffered by being shot five times. A brief exchange between councilors and the mayor ensued and got tense. One resident who did not want to be identified, “said if the council wasn’t going to step up and lead on this, then Lewiston has a real problem.”
The council’s decision to table the proposal leaves the broader dispute unresolved, but city leaders signaled that discussions about remaining needs and available support will continue.
