Remembering the Day Lewiston, Maine, Changed Forever

It’s been a year since our city of Lewiston, Maine, endured an unthinkable attack. We lost 18 loved ones on that horrific night.

As a lifelong Lewiston resident, born in Pennsylvania but raised and living here, this city is my home.

I remember being at home with my wife, Nelly, when the alerts came through on our phones.

Moments later, sirens filled the air, helicopter spotlights illuminated our windows, and we got the urgent message to lock our doors and stay away from the windows.

The fear in those moments was overwhelming. But I knew that, in my role in the media, I needed to reach everyone, somehow.

I needed to be with all of you.

So, Matt James and I took action. He was broadcasting in the studio in Augusta, and I went live on Facebook, connecting with you directly as we all tried to navigate those dark hours together.

I couldn’t be in the studio because we were all told to shelter in place, but I still wanted to connect with you. I encouraged you to share your feelings, your confusion, and your sadness.

And as we came together, through the studio and my home, it made a difference. We created this beautiful, safe space where everyone could express themselves and cry with each other during an impossible time.

Grieving isn’t a straightforward process because it takes time and catches you off guard. And this time, we were so vulnerable, it was so close. It touched our backyards, our neighbors, our families.

Something I'll never forget...

A vigil took place in Lewiston at the Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul, bringing us all together under a starry night sky as we mourned and cried for our city.

Dave Dostie Photography

Shortly after the shooting, we all felt the guilt, guilt for surviving, for witnessing violence in a place we love, and for losing our sense of safety.

It manifested for me, physically in shock and anger. Yet, as the days and months passed, from this pain came a connection. So many of us felt this deeply profound sense of unity.

And that is where we became one city, one family, one Lewiston.

The connection has led to the birth of incredible foundations like the Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, One Lewiston, Resilience Fund, Maine Community Foundation, and so much more. So many charities and events have been established to honor the victims.

It's been a year, and within this year, in my hometown, I do feel safe, loved, supported and strong.

So Lewiston is resilient. We’re healing together, and I am so proud to be a part of that city.

To the families of the victims,

I am deeply sorry for the shock, anger, and devastation you’ve experienced in losing your loved ones. On behalf of our entire city and state, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your sacrifice, your family members are true heroes to us all.

Lewiston Strong,

Love, Lizzy