I don’t have much to say tonight. This evening, Eastern Daylight Time, there was a mass-casualty shooting at two separate locations in Lewiston, Maine. I lived in the state’s second-largest city during my latter teen years and graduated from the high school. While I haven’t been to Lewiston for decades, roots there and being Maine-native twist my gut thinking about this tragedy.
As I write, the city is under stay-at-home lockdown, and the shooter is on the loose. Police have released photos of the assault-rifle-carrying suspect and (escape) vehicle taken from surveillance video.
The Featured Image, captured on Jan. 24, 2018 using Leica Q, is a symbol of mourning and remembrance. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/2.8, ISO 100, 1/400 sec, 28mm; 4:07 p.m. PST; composed as shot.
My Nana loved roses. One day, on impulse, I bought her a single one, then rode my bicycle from downtown Lewiston to her apartment. Today’s shooting shatters the innocence that make moments like that one effortless. Early news reports, sourcing law enforcement, claim 15 to 20 fatalities this evening.
For comparison, according to Maine State Police, there were 29 murders in the state during calendar 2022, which is more than I would have expected.
I never expected to ever see such a terrible day in Maine. No words of condolence can soothe the pain of everyone suffering loss this night. 🙁