Maine

President Biden visits Maine to pay respects to '18 precious souls stolen'

Outside of Schemengees, the president and first lady laid a bouquet of flowers at a large memorial that included more flowers, candles, images, pumpkins and messages

NBC Universal, Inc. President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden will be in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday to meet with first responders and family members of victims of last week’s mass shooting.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited Lewiston, Maine, on Friday afternoon in the wake of last week's mass shootings that left 18 dead and 13 injured.

They went to the Just-In-Time bowling alley and Schemenges Bar and Grill – the two sites of the shootings nine days ago. Along for the visit were much of Maine's congressional delegation and Gov. Janet Mills.

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"Eighteen precious souls stolen, 13 wounded," Biden said in a speech, noting that "all of them lived lives of love and service and sacrifice."

He called for "common sense, reasonable and responsible measures to protect our children, our families, our communities" from gun violence, repeating a refrain he and other presidents have called for in the wake of other mass shootings.

While he said compromise is possible, Biden didn't go into specifics about what kind he was seeking.

Outside of Schemengees, the president and first lady laid a bouquet of flowers at a large memorial that included more flowers, candles, images, pumpkins and messages. Nearby was a sign that read, "Fix the mental health system." They stood for a moment of silence before bending over to hug bar owner Kathy Lebel.

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US President Joe Biden arrives at Brunswick Executive Airport in Brunswick, Maine, on November 3, 2023. The President is travelling to Lewiston, Maine, to meet with families of the victims of the October 25, 2023, shooting. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
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President Joe Biden shares an embrace with Maine Gov. Janet Mills en route to Lewiston on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, to meet with the families and victims of last week’s mass shootings.
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A memorial outside Schemengees Bar and Grill in Lewiston, Maine, ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.
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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden pay their respects outside Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 following the mass shootings there and at a nearby bowling alley on Oct. 25.
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President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden surrounded by first responders, nurses and others on the front lines of the response to the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, during a visit on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.
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Mills, Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Rep. Chellie Pingree spoke after Biden, thanking the Bidens for coming to the grieving community and to shine a light on the first responders.

"We take comfort and solace in knowing that the entire nation stands with Lewiston and with Maine," Mills said. "We feel the warmth of your visit and the strength of your unwavering support for our state, and we see love and support in our future, as difficult as that may be."

After his speech, Biden met privately with families who lost loved ones.

The father of Schemengees manager Joe Walker, who was killed in the shooting there, said the meeting was a small chance to keep his son's memory alive.

"I'm hoping that I can think clearly and not get upset over where we are and why we're here, but he's supposed to be the most powerful man that we have sitting in that position, Leroy Walker said before speaking with the president. "I'm hoping that he uses his power to help us."

Joe Walker's mother stayed home, telling NBC10 Boston it was "way too hard."

Other members of the public expressed a mix of gratitude and grief.

"I think everybody's opinion is we never thought this would happen in such a small place," said Miranda Ferris of Lewiston.

"He knew there was a lot of pain and heartache here, and he said he was sorry," Lewiston resident Kathy Lebel said of Biden.

Several thousand people attended vigils for the victims over the weekend, and residents started returning to work and school on Monday after stay-at-home orders were lifted.

The White House said the Bidens were traveling to Maine to spend time with the family members of the victims, community members and first responders personally impacted by the tragic events of last week.

The Lewiston, Maine, community came together during a high school football game Wednesday, and they got some high-profile well-wishes.

Biden had already directed the federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention to work closely with the Lewiston community to provide support and coordinate resources, including extensive victims’ services. Some of those services include specific help for veterans, as well as the deaf and hearing-impaired community uniquely impacted by these shootings.

The White House also plans to deploy experts from the newly created Mass Shooting Victimization Resource Center.

People who live and work in this community say the President’s visit is symbolic of the entire nation’s support and love for this community in their time of immense grief.

Donna Kelley, who works nearby said, “I think it’s wonderful that the president feels drawn to come here and just support our community and to have the first lady here as well. Just to have them both want to be here and let their feelings be known and support us, I think it will mean a lot to the families who are affected by all of this.”

The White House released a statement ahead of the president's visit, saying in part, “Recovering from this attack will be long and difficult, and President Biden is committed to marshaling resources from across the federal government to support Lewiston every step of the way. He will also continue to be relentless in doing everything in his power to stop the epidemic of gun violence tearing our communities apart and urging Congress to act on commonsense gun safety legislation.”

The long road to recovery has begun for those injured in last week's deadly mass shootings in Maine.

The president has visited many communities scarred by mass shootings. He's been to Buffalo, New York; Uvalde, Texas; Monterey Park, California just in roughly the past year.

“There are too many other schools, too many other everyday places that have become killing fields, battlefields here in America,” Biden said during a speech on gun violence last year.

As of Friday, there have been at least 37 mass killings in the U.S. so far in 2023, leaving at least 195 people dead, not including shooters who died, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills said she felt Biden’s arrival in the city would be significant because it shows the country is grieving with Maine, and that the state has the president’s support.

“By visiting us in our time of need, the president and first lady are making clear that the entire nation stands with Lewiston and with Maine — and for that I am profoundly grateful,” she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Angela Weiss / Getty Images
A sign reading “Lewiston Strong” is displayed in Lewiston, Maine, on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.
Robert F. Bukaty / AP
Jess Paquette expresses her support for her city in the wake of Wednesday’s mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine.
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Law enforcement officials gather in the road leading to the Bowdoin, Maine home of the suspect being sought in connection with the mass shootings, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Steven Senne / AP
Maine State Police Col. William Ross, center, appears emotional as he faces reporters while Maine Gov. Janet Mills, left, and Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck, right, look on, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, during a news conference at Lewiston City Hall, in Lewiston, Maine.
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Artist Miia Zellner walks away after nailing hearts she made to trees on Main Street in Lewiston, Maine, the day after mass shootings took place in the city.
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A sign on a Starbucks restaurant announces it is temporarily closed as people shelter in place following a mass shooting and subsequent manhunt, on Oct. 26, 2023 in Portland, Maine.
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Maria Wilson shows emotion near a reunification center set up at Auburn Middle School on early Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Auburn, Maine. Wilson came to the reunification center trying to find out information about a person she knew who was at Schemengees Bar and Grille at the time of the shooting.
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Law enforcement are seen outside the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
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Law Enforcement officials gather near a home as they prepare to search it for the suspect in connection with two mass shootings on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 in Bowdoin, Maine.
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Heavily armed police search the home of suspect Robert Card’s father and brother in Bowdoin, Maine on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
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Police respond to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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This photo released by the Lewiston, Maine, Police Department on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, shows a vehicle police are seeking information on in connection to an active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine.
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People depart an emergency department entrance at Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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A view of the street while police officers close the road as they patrol around the surrounding area, October 26, 2023.
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Law enforcement officials are seen at Lisbon High School early Oct. 26 as a manhunt continues for the suspect in a mass shooting that took place the day prior.
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Police officers close the road as they patrol a neighborhood after issuing a warning about an ‘active shooter’ incident, October 26, 2023.
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People depart a reunification center early Thursday, Oct. 26 at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston.
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Law enforcement officers carry rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center during an active shooter situation, in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
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Police presence at Schemengees Bar, one of the locations where the Lewiston mass shooting occured, on Thursday, Oct. 26.
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Heavily armed police boarded armored vehicles at Lisbon High School at daybreak as they search for the mass shooter, Oct. 26.
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Three vehicles transport bodies from Schemengees Bar and Grille, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Lewiston, Maine. The restaurant was the site of one of the two mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday.
LEWISTON, ME – OCTOBER 27: A business display a message in Lewiston, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
LISBON, MAINE – OCTOBER 28: In an aerial view, police vehicles are seen in the area near the Maine Recycling Center building where Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 28, 2023 in Lisbon, Maine. Mr. Card, who had worked at the recycling center, allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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LISBON, ME – OCTOBER 27: Law enforcement members investigate at a site where a body of the suspect Robert Card is found in Lisbon, Maine, Friday, October 27, 2023. Card is believed to be the gunman who killed at least 18 people in Lewiston, Maine. (Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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LEWISTON, MAINE – OCTOBER 27: Governor Janet Mills of Maine is embraced before she announces to the media that Robert Card, the suspect in two mass killings, was found dead on October 27, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Mr. Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston was found dead in nearby Lisbon. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: A fan holds a “Lewiston Strong” sign after the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: The Boston Celtics players wear “Maine” shirts during the National Anthem at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. A man gunned down 18 people with a semi-automatic rifle in a bowling alley and a bar where locals were enjoying an evening out on October 25 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)
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