President Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited Lewiston, Maine, on Friday to mourn the deaths of 18 people killed last week in the state’s deadliest mass shooting in history.
The president delivered a heartfelt speech to express his condolences for the victims after engaging in meetings with first responders, nurses, and members of the community. Furthermore, the president held a private meeting with the families of the victims. Notably, in his address, the president refrained from urging Congress to pass specific gun control measures.
“In Maine, as we come together to mourn this tragedy, it reminds us of the painful wounds that afflict our entire nation,” the president remarked. “The scourge of gun violence has touched far too many American lives. Jill and I have personally witnessed the devastating impact in places like Buffalo, Uvalde, Monterey Park far too many instances to enumerate. These are stories that never made the headlines, resonating throughout our great land.”
In addition to the lives lost in Maine, last week’s tragic incident left 13 individuals injured when a shooter opened fire at a bar and a bowling alley. The assailant was later found deceased following a two-day manhunt. lady Jill Biden visited
In response to this mass shooting, President Biden issued an order for the White House and federal buildings to lower their flags to half-staff. He also expressed in a statement, “Far too many Americans have experienced the unthinkable pain of losing a family member or witnessing them being injured due to gun violence. This is not a normal state of affairs, and it is a situation we must not accept.”
The president lamented the loss of life in the mass shooting. “Eighteen precious souls stolen. Thirteen wounded,” he said. “…All of them lived lives of love and service and sacrifice.”
Mr. Biden also called attention to the survivors of the shooting.
“We also remember the survivors who will forever carry the memories and the physical and emotional scars of this,” he said.
The president said that “too many Americans have lost loved ones or survived the trauma of gun violence.”