Victims of deadly mass shooting in Maine identified as families mourn loss
The victims of a deadly mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, are being identified as their families and the Lewiston community mourns their tragic losses.
Tricia Asselin and Bob Violette were two of 18 people who lost their lives when a gunman opened fire at two locations in the state. Another 13 people were injured in the attacks, which happened at a bowling alley and a popular bar.
A woman who appears to have known the victims wrote a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook referring to the two victims, as well as another person who is heavily injured.
READ MORE: Maine shooting: Inside horror at bowling alley packed with kids as gunman slaughters 18
Bob Violette was among the 18 people confirmed dead in the massacre (Facebook)
Tricia Asselin was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Facebook)Kaisha Pearl wrote on her Facebook: "Our bowling community took a huge loss Tricia Asselin you were a great friend. You loved Asia as much as I do. We went through so much together at that alley. You were so selfless and cared so much about everyone around you. You were here there and everywhere working as much as you could. I messaged you first and I knew the minute you didn't read it. You were loved and will be missed by so so many"
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She went on: "Bob Violette, it will be tough not seeing you around giving lessons to anyone who wanted to listen. This a huge loss to the bowling family. Your family is in our thoughts. He was one of Noah's friends grandparents. Coaching the youth league at the time."
Joe Walker, 56, was the bar manager at Schemengees Bar and 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.
Joseph Walker, 57, was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Facebook)"He died as a hero," he said. Waiting for confirmation of his worst fears Wednesday night, Walker told the network he felt like his guts and neck were being "squashed."
"And I don't know, telling you the truth, what kind of night this is going to be from now until tomorrow when I wake up to the true facts that my son is dead - and I know he's dead," he said. "I know it as well as I know I'm standing here telling you because he's not here and he's not at any other hospital and he's not running the streets or he would have called us, because he manages Schemengees, so I know he was there."
(Facebook)More victims were identified as Ron Morin, Joseph Walker and Peyton Brewer-Ross. Another heartbreaking post on Facebook by Daric Collins said (sic): "It’s with a heavy heart I make this post rest in peace Ron Morin Joseph Walker Peyton Brewer-Ross we all were supposed to have some laughs tonight @ Turfs Cornhole league but it was all ended too soon due to unforeseen violence you all will be missed by the Cornhole community and impact you guys made with your bright smiles and joke I’ll miss you guys I’ll miss talking in between games and rounds the jokes back and forth the competition with y’all I’m glad I got to know you guys until we meet again !!"
(Facebook)Bill Brackett has also been confirmed as one of the victims. ABC News reported that he was part of a gathering of deaf people playing cornhole at Schemengees Bar & Grill. Bryan Macfarlane, another of the deceased, reportedly was with him in the same group. Steven Vozzella is also among the victims - he was in the same group as Brackett and Macfarlane.
A person who appears to have known some of the victims has set up a list on Facebook with their names as their families are being notified. As of the time of writing, the list includes Bob Violette, Ron Morin, Tricia Asselin, Tom Conrad, Billy Brackett, Michael Deslauriers II, Joseph Walker, Jason Walker, Bryan Macfarlane, Steve Vozzella, Arthur Strout, Joshua Seal, Peyton Brewer-Ross, and Maxx Hathaway.
Were you at the scene? Did you see what happened? Please get in touch [email protected]
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.
She "had a great passion for life," and was a loving mother, "the most caring person there was," her mother, Alicia Lachance, told NBC News. Asselin's 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't seen her yet that night.
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When she heard the gunfire, Tammy Asselin couldn't find her daughter, who was able to run to an exit. Tammy and others tried to hide, getting a table to flip over and act as a wall near a corner booth, she told ABC News. "The whole time I'm thinking, We're sitting ducks,"' she said. She was later told that Tricia didn't make it. She remembered her cousin as "the most fun person. She was always happy-go-lucky."
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. "I said, \OK,' and he said `I love you,' because all my kids tell me that every time we see each other," Barnard told CBS News. "Ten minutes later, I get a phone call."
Strout, 42, and his wife, Kristy, had a blended family of five children. "He's helped me raise my children since they were very, very little," Kristy Strout told CBS. "His daughter's only 13 and without a dad because of all of this. Because of one man's choices, my daughter has to grow up without a father."
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. "Bill was a man dedicated to his family," his cousin, Kim McConville, said. "He was a master auto mechanic. Always trying to be a funny guy."
Billy Brackett was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Billy Brackett/Facebook)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's statement said an uncle of another high school student was also killed.
"This is tremendous tragedy for our area, our town, our students, and everyone. This is uncharted territory," Hodgkin said.
The names of the other victims have not yet been confirmed, however, Mayor Jason Levesque confirmed to CNN that there are children at the centre set up to support those involved. He said: "There were a couple, with their parents thankfully. Everything here is traumatic. There were some youths that were injured. Hopefully we will find out more as the night goes on."
Asked the ages of people who were at the bowling alley, he replied: "Anywhere from 12 to 90 and everywhere in between." He said he wasn't aware of any children who have lost their lives, but said he knew a 17-year-old has been wounded.
Police named 40-year-old Robert Card as the person of interest in the atrocity. He has since been identified as an Army reserve firearms instructor who was sectioned a few months ago due to mental health reasons. Before leaving he claimed that he was hearing voices and threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, Maine.
A photo of the suspect who was armed with a rifle was shared by police. In the image, a man is seen stalking into a business with a weapon on his shoulder prepared to open fire. The suspect is believed to be at large and has has a car, which police believe to be a 2013 white Subaru Outback.
Steve Vozzella , 57, was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Vozzella Megan/Facebook)
Bryan MacFarlane, 40 was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Facebook)The vehicle of interest was located in Lisbon, Maine, according to Mike Sauschuck, the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. The car was found nearly eight miles southeast of the city of Lewiston where the shootings took place.
Since the atrocity, it was announced that schools in Maine will be closed on Thursday. Jake Langlais, the district's superintendent wrote in a statement: "There remains a lot of unknowns at this time. Information moves quickly but not alway accurately."
Joshua Seal, 36, (right) with his wife Elizabeth Seal was one of the victims in the massacre in Maine (Elizabeth Seal/Facebook)He continued: "Please continue to shelter in place or get to safety. We will continue to update you with information and next steps as appropriate," and added: "Stay close to your loved ones. Embrace them. Our prayers go out to those who lost someone tonight."
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