Lewiston, Maine – As the city approaches the somber first anniversary of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting, a couple is channeling their deepest pain into a profound symbol of resilience. Ben Dyer, who survived being shot five times during the tragedy, and his fiancée Keela Smith, are planning to marry on the exact date of next year’s anniversary, transforming a day of horror into a celebration of love and recovery.
Ben Dyer and Keela Smith, both 48, were profoundly affected by the events that unfolded at a local bowling alley and bar, where a lone gunman claimed 18 lives in a rampage that devastated the community and the nation. Dyer, who was at the bar during the attack, believes that choosing this wedding date will help the couple reclaim the day as their own, associating it with joy instead of sorrow.
As the community continues to heal, the personal stories of survivors and their ongoing struggles highlight the complex journey many face in seeking normalcy after such a catastrophic event. For Dyer, physical reminders of the attack persist, with injuries that have permanently altered his daily life. Adapting to these changes, including learning how to perform everyday tasks with one hand, remains a daily challenge.
In a similar vein, Megan Vozzella, a 39-year-old local whose husband was killed at the bar, struggles with nightly nightmares about her husband’s last moments. Nearly a year on, the emotional trauma is as present as ever, with the upcoming anniversary heightening her sense of loss. Her husband was among the four deaf individuals killed that night, deepening the tragedy for the close-knit deaf community in Lewiston.
Lewiston has scheduled a commemoration on the anniversary to honor those affected by the tragedy. The ceremony will include music, speeches, and moments of silence, reflecting a community’s collective mourning and remembrance. Such events underscore the shared grief and solidarity among survivors, families of the victims, and the broader community.
The incident began at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley, where the gunman, an Army reservist, used a semiautomatic rifle to rapidly claim multiple lives. He then continued his attack at Schemengees Bar & Grille, culminating in a total of 18 deaths before he ended his own life. The swift and brutal nature of the attack left the community and the nation reeling.
In response to the tragedy, Maine has taken legislative steps to strengthen its gun control laws, particularly focusing on the enforcement of ‘yellow flag’ laws, though some advocates believe more stringent measures, such as an assault weapons ban, are necessary. These changes reflect ongoing national debates on how best to address gun violence, which the U.S. Surgeon General has declared a public health crisis.
Despite the legislative changes, debates regarding gun ownership persist. Dyer, reflecting a view held by many in rural Maine, continues to see firearms as a tool rather than the problem, pointing to broader issues such as mental health as the root cause of such tragedies. His personal experiences have not shifted his perspective on gun ownership but have highlighted for him the complexities in addressing gun violence.
The resilience displayed by Dyer, Smith, and other survivors speaks volumes about the human capacity to find hope after heartbreak. As they plan their wedding for the upcoming anniversary, they aim not just to mark a personal milestone but also to make a powerful statement about recovery and reclaiming life after loss. This approach represents a broader need for healing and resilience in the face of tragedy, a journey that the community of Lewiston continues to navigate together.