Lewiston shooting survivors say they haven’t received financial support they were promised
By Bonnie Bishop
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LEWISTON, Maine (WMTW) — Survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting are fighting for money they say belongs to them. Several spoke at the Lewiston City Council meeting Tuesday night about their experience, saying they haven’t received the support they were promised.
“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.”
The claims have caught the attention of the city council, which is now exploring what it can and should do to assess the needs and financial burdens of those impacted by the shooting.
The Maine Community Foundation says of the money donated, $4.7 million went directly to those impacted by the shooting, and nearly $2 million went to community groups.
Survivors say the money should have gone directly to them. They now want help from the council to get transparency and accountability.
“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.
The issue was tabled at the last city council meeting, citing privacy concerns over conducting an assessment.
The city council did not take a vote tonight, but they are expected to consult with the Maine Resiliency Center at their next meeting to talk about what they can do to help.
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