Residents of Lewiston return to work Monday, the morning after coming together to mourn those lost in Maine's worst mass shooting.
They gathered Sunday evening, hugging one another, singing a rousing edition of "Amazing Grace," and seeking guidance out of these dark days from religious leaders who talked of hope, healing, and the power of prayer.
The vigil came two days after the body of suspected gunman Robert Card was found. The 40-year-old's body was discovered in a trailer at a recycling center in Lisbon Falls. Card died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound though it was unclear when, authorities said. Card was also suspected of injuring 13 people in the shooting rampage Wednesday night in Lewiston.
The Rev. Allen Austin, a senior pastor at Pathways Vineyard Church in Lewiston encouraged the crowd to "stay focused on the things that invite peace into our communities." "We will not be defined by the tragedies that happened," he said. "Fear, anxiety and trepidation will not dictate our present or our future."
At Lisbon Falls Baptist Church, arriving church members greeted each other warmly but the atmosphere turned somber when the Rev. Brian Ganong brought up the tragedy. He prayed for those fighting for their lives, those who lost family and friends, first responders and medical workers, and others — including the Card family, who he said had ties to some members of the church.
State Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said Card believed "people were talking about him and there may even have been some voices at play."
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