LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston City Council voted Tuesday night to delay action on a proposed resolution that would assess the ongoing needs and financial burdens of people impacted by the October 25, 2023, mass shooting, choosing instead to wait for a presentation from the Maine Resiliency Center later this month.
The council agreed to postpone any decision until Tuesday, March 17, when representatives from the Maine Resiliency Center are scheduled to brief councilors on their work supporting victims and recovery efforts following the tragedy.
The resolution, formally titled “Resolution Authorizing and Directing an Assessment of Shooting-Related Needs and Financial Burdens of Individuals Affected by the October 25, 2023 Mass Shooting”, was first introduced at the council’s February 17 meeting by Councilor Susan Longchamps.
The measure calls for a voluntary assessment of the needs of individuals affected by the shooting, which left 18 people dead and multiple others injured, shaking the Lewiston community and drawing national attention.
Before taking further action, the council had directed the city administrator, Bryan Kaenrath to request a legal review of the proposal. The city attorney advised caution, citing legal and privacy concerns and recommending that a third party conduct any study, with findings reported back to the council in an anonymized format.
City officials noted in agenda materials that the decision on how to proceed ultimately remains a “policy choice” for the council.
Survivors urge action
Several survivors and family members spoke during public comment Tuesday night, reminding councilors that the impact of the shooting continues long after the initial tragedy.
“Many of the affected, including myself, will forever live with memories of that night, but some have to live with much worse,” said survivor Keith Tremblay. “Shrapnel, bullets, broken bones. Physical reminders that their lives will continue to be a battle long after any of this.”
Speakers told the council that survivors continue to face ongoing medical bills, mental health challenges, and financial strain, urging city leaders not to lose sight of their needs.
“We cannot erase the fear, the loss or the trauma, but we can demand accountability,” said survivor Destiny Johnson. “We can insist that the money that was raised for the victims, the victims come first.”
Johnson also described the financial assistance she said she received after surviving the attack.
“For escaping my own attempted murder, for running through a kitchen while bullets were flying, for living through the trauma of that night I received only seven thousand dollars,” Johnson said.
Council to revisit issue after presentation
Rather than vote on the resolution Tuesday, councilors opted to delay the matter until after the March 17th presentation from the Maine Resiliency Center. The council did not take a formal vote on the matter, instead informally agreeing to move the item forward to the next meeting, a decision that left some meeting attendees in the chamber confused about whether any official action had actually been taken.
The Maine Resiliency Center was established following the Lewiston shooting to help coordinate long-term recovery efforts and support services for victims, survivors, and families impacted by the attack.
https://www.maineresiliencycenter.org/
After hearing from the organization, the council is expected to revisit the proposed resolution and determine whether to move forward with an assessment of the ongoing needs of those affected by the shooting.
