In Maine, it has been a year since the mass shooting in Lewiston

Friday marks one year since the worst mass shooting in Maine left 18 people dead, 13 injured and countless others terrified.

October 25, 2023 was youth bowling night at Lewiston's Just-In-Time Recreation. A cornhole tournament was taking place nearby at Schememenges Bar & Grille.

“We just had a normal night at the cornhole,” said Ben Dyer, who was critically injured in the mass shooting in Schemengees.

Dyer was preparing for a game with his friends Ron Morin and Billy Brackett. Moments later, both were among the 18 dead when bullets from a lone gunman ripped through both locations just 12 minutes apart.

“I looked at his face when I lost my finger. He saw me raise my head and wanted to shoot myself in the head. And I put my hands up like this and ducked,” Dyer said. “I was lucky to survive. I really shouldn't have done that. For some unknown reason I'm still here.

“How many friends did you lose that night?” asked CBS13 reporter Brad Rogers.

“Everyone in the cornhole community was a friend of mine,” Dyer said.

Maxx Hathaway among them. As a young father, he was there in part to celebrate the college diploma he had just received in the mail that day.

“There are people who have come into your life and the light shines when they are gone. And 100% him,” said Kelsay Hathaway, Maxx Hathaway’s older sister. “We talk to him all the time. I mean, I kiss his obituary every morning.

Last year, the mass shooting in Lewiston sparked hearings and debates about missed warning signs, gaps in mental health, gun control and communication with law enforcement.

The shooter, an Army reservist, had been briefly hospitalized in New York just weeks earlier for erratic behavior.

Congress is now pushing the Army to better monitor the mental health and possible brain damage of those working in the munitions industry.

Just a week ago, about 100 survivors and victims' families filed a new lawsuit against the Army and others, hoping to force more answers.

“This community, this state, our clients deserve accountability,” said Travis Brennan, an attorney for victims of the Lewiston mass shooting.

Elizabeth Seal is among them. Her husband, Joshua Seal, a member of the deaf community, died at the cornhole tournament.

“As soon as justice is served. I think we may be able to begin that healing process, but in the meantime, we will remain Lewiston Strong,” said Elizabeth Seal.

That's how Dyer feels. He and his fiancée, Keela Smith, plan to honor their friends who passed away this Friday. But next year they want to take back October 25th and get married on that day.

“You know, we went through hell. But we did it. And let’s move on,” Dyer said.

Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement a year after the mass shooting in Lewiston:

“One year ago, an act of senseless violence with a weapon of war in Lewiston, Maine, left 18 loved ones dead and 13 others injured. Doug and I join all Mainers in remembering those who lost their lives that fall night, standing with their families and remembering the survivors of this horrific mass shooting.

In the 12 months since this tragedy occurred at a local restaurant and bowling alley, the Lewiston community has demonstrated incredible unity, resilience and strength. They responded by reminding the nation of the unacceptable fact that far too many families have experienced the enormous pain and trauma caused by the epidemic of gun violence. This is precisely why I have been working to take action to address this issue with the urgency it deserves and ensure the safety of our loved ones.

With the help of gun violence survivors, families of those who have lost loved ones, young leaders and local advocates, our government fought to pass the bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the first major gun safety law in nearly 30 years. We expanded background checks, closed the gun show gap, made the largest investment in youth mental health in history, supported the implementation of warning laws across the country, and invested in community violence interventions. Additionally, we launched the first-ever White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention, an office that I am proud to lead. After the tragic shooting in Lewiston, this office coordinated the first federal multi-agency response – addressing the needs of survivors and ensuring victim services were tailored to them.

Although we have made significant progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure the safety of our children and communities. I continue to call on Congress to pass universal background checks, warnings and safe storage laws, a ban on bulk stocks, and a renewal of the assault weapons ban. In the meantime, I will continue our work to save lives and ensure that every person in our country can live free from violence, fear and hate.”

The Maine delegation released a statement on the Lewiston tragedy a year later.

In the statement, Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden thank those who have helped the state heal over the past 12 months, saying:

“A year ago, the unthinkable happened in Lewiston when a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and restaurant – shaking the community and Maine to its core. Families remained in their homes for days as police worked to track down the shooter. We are grateful for the hard work and bravery that put an end to this nightmare and enabled our state to overcome the pain and devastation. But the seats at the kitchen table remain empty as 18 Mainers are absent from the lives of their friends and families. Others injured on that terrible day are still recovering from their wounds. As we continue to process the pain, we renew our commitment to helping one another, remembering the sacrifices and the lives forever changed that day, and healing.”

Gov. Janet Mills paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the Lewiston tragedy and praised the strength of the people of Maine in a video posted to social media. In the video message, Governor Mills tells the people of Maine “that we are not alone, that we are 'Lewiston Strong,' and that together we will continue to heal.”

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition mourns with the community as we remember the terrible events of a year ago. The organization released the following statement from Arthur Barnard, father of Lewiston victim Arthur “Artie” Strout:

“A year ago this evening I was playing pool with my son Artie, something we had done together since I taught him to play as a boy. When we said goodnight, I didn't know it would be the last time I would see him. Today my family and others are grieving. But today I'm putting this sadness into action. After lawmakers failed to take action to prevent future tragedies, we launched a campaign to put Extreme Risk Protection Orders on the ballot, a commonsense law that might have prevented last year's shooting . Nothing can bring Artie back. But we can try to make sure that no other family has to suffer what mine did.”

On October 25, the City of Lewiston and the surrounding community will come together to honor and remember the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting.

A ceremony will take place at the Coliseum in Lewiston.

Thousands of people are expected at the memorial service.

It will include a performance of “Amazing Grace,” a presentation of the colors, the national anthem, songs, slideshows with a reading of the names and photos of those killed, stories of loss and survival, and reflections on resilience.

Moments of silence will be held at 6:56 p.m. and 7:08 p.m. to remember the exact times the shootings at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille occurred one year ago.

Admission to the public opens at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m

The city says free shuttles are available to take people to and from the colisée to the south gate parking lots and the Oak Street parking lots.

For more information, see onelewiston.org.

If you can't attend, be sure to tune in to CBS13 for special coverage of “The Lewiston Tragedy: One Year Later.”

It starts at 5 p.m