WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.679 --> 00:00:04.320 We have an active shooter. We have an after shooting's go ahead of a 2 00:00:04.360 --> 00:00:12.160 clay with a mass casualty. Welcome to Active Shooter, a podcast that covers 3 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:17.440 the whys, the hows, and the aftermath of active shooter and mass casualty 4 00:00:17.480 --> 00:00:26.559 events. I have an active shooter in a building, a checking call as 5 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:33.640 the our Big attacks. We got chush fire at four fifteen as Bridge ninety 6 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:50.240 one, so I'm like, oh, I'm at a fire on active shooter. 7 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:54.640 Orts of an active shooter, active shooter, active shooter in mass casualty 8 00:00:54.679 --> 00:01:03.079 incidents. Thank you for listening. You are listening to Active Shooter, a 9 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:07.159 podcast that may contain adult themes, explicit language, and graphic depictions of violence. 10 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:12.519 Portions of this show may be traumatic for those under eighteen. Listener discretion 11 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:27.239 is advised. This is the CBS News special report on Jared Hill in New 12 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:32.040 York. There's breaking news out of Lewiston, Maine, about forty minutes north 13 00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:36.040 of Portland. Police are searching for a mass shooter who reportedly opened fire at 14 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:40.799 at least two different locations, including a bar and grill and a bowling alley. 15 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:46.680 Multiple law enforcement sources tell CBS News that at least sixteen people and perhaps 16 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:51.480 more than twenty have been killed dozens more injured. The Sheriff's office released these 17 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:55.519 photos of the suspect, who appears to be holding an ar style assault rifle. 18 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:00.920 The shootings in Lewiston, Maine, October twenty five, twenty twenty three, 19 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:07.840 were deliberate, planned attacks carried out against two businesses that the shooter believed 20 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:12.199 were out to get him in some way. There were several other businesses on 21 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:17.080 the shooter's list of those who had wronged him, although it's unclear whether they 22 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:22.520 were meant to be a part of the attack. The shooter had experienced a 23 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:29.360 severe mental health decline and acted out in concerning manners. He made threats to 24 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:32.520 cause harm, and he was known to have the means and training to carry 25 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:38.319 out his sadistic plans. Those who knew the shooter became worried about his mental 26 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:44.439 state and they spoke up. Unfortunately, those warnings weren't heated, and as 27 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:47.879 such, a man with a grudge was able to carry out a horrific act 28 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:55.719 of mass murder against hundreds of unsuspecting and innocent men, women, and children. 29 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:01.199 Today's case is dedicated to the lives and memories of the thirteen injured survivors 30 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:08.039 and the eighteen shooting victims. Ronald Morin, Peyton Brewer, Ross, Joshua 31 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:15.479 Seal, Brian McFarlane, Joseph Walker, Arthur Strout, Max Hathaway, Stephen 32 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:23.240 Vozzella, Thomas Conrad, Michael R. Deslorier, The Second, Jason Walker, 33 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:30.439 Tricia c Aslin, William Yun, Aaron Young, Robert Violette, Lucille 34 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:39.759 Violette, William Brackett, and Keith D. Mcneer. Active Shooter The podcast 35 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:47.080 is a High five Holly production, and I'm your host j T. If 36 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:52.680 you've listened to our prior episodes, you know that the Active Shooter podcast team 37 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:57.560 has taken THEE No Notoriety pledge and we will not be sharing the real name 38 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:01.280 to the shooters that we cover. We will be giving the shooters a pseudonym 39 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:05.680 and refer to them by that name throughout the episode. This will help in 40 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:11.360 clearing up any confusion in the story while remaining true to our pledge and not 41 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:17.439 naming the shooter by their actual name. We will refer to today's shooter as 42 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:35.040 VIC. Wednesday, October twenty fifth, twenty twenty three was a slightly cooler 43 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:41.399 evening, with temps hovering in the mid fifties, the night sky was clear. 44 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:46.480 In Lewiston, Maine, which is located within Anderskagin County, the Just 45 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:51.000 In Time Recreation Center was bustling with activity, as there was both a youth 46 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:58.240 bowling league event and a cornhole tournament for the deaf taking place there. It's 47 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:01.279 not clear precisely how many people were at the rec center, but there were 48 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:05.399 a lot of people who came out for the respective events, and there isn't 49 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:10.519 a single one in attendance who could have been prepared for the manner in which 50 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:29.959 their lives were forever changed. Forty year old Vic arrived at the rec center 51 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.839 shortly before seven pm. He parked his twenty thirteen Subreu outback at the recreation 52 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:42.439 center and selected a firearm from the three he brought for the attack. Vic 53 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:48.240 chose a Ruger Sfar threeh eight semi automatic rifle, leaving behind a Smith and 54 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:55.360 Wesson M and P fifteen two twenty three caliber semi automatic rifle which wasn't used, 55 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:59.879 and a Smith and Wesson M and P forty caliber semi automatic pistol. 56 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:05.879 The Ruger was specifically equipped with a flashlight and extended magazine. As soon as 57 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:11.480 he entered the center, Vic opened fire. Within moments, nine to one 58 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:16.120 one calls replaced, alerting authorities to an active shooter. Four minutes after the 59 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:20.959 first call. Law enforcement was on the scene, but Vic had already fled 60 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:29.120 in his wake. He left seven deceased shooting victims, including six men and 61 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:36.040 one woman. While we were inside and snowing a bowling and out of nowhere, 62 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:39.720 he just came in and there was a loud pop. Sought it was 63 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:44.000 a balloon. I had my back turned to the door, and as soon 64 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:46.759 as I turned and saw there was not a balloon, he was holding a 65 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:51.199 weapon. I just booked it down the lane and I slid basically into where 66 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:54.720 the pins are and climbed up on the machine and was on top of the 67 00:06:54.720 --> 00:07:00.120 machines for about ten minutes until the cops got there Luber ten, where at 68 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:03.240 least I knew they were shots. And then when I got on top of 69 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:09.079 the bowling machine, it was a lot of ruckus back there, so I 70 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.920 don't really know who from that, but I heard the first one that was 71 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:20.079 probably fifty feet behind me. He was close, very close. Nothing, 72 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:27.120 no one close, I mean I'm pretty sure I knew one guy who I 73 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:29.519 I'm not gonna say it with his friends. I just knew him friendly to 74 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:32.120 see him that before. But I just went there, you know, just 75 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:36.800 to bow by myself. And yeah, I wasn't even there ten minutes, 76 00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.399 ten minutes. Yeah, I just walked into place. I mean yet, 77 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:46.639 I was putting on my bowling shoes when I when I started. So I've 78 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:54.160 been barefoot for five hours outside of the wreck Center. At a nearby shooting 79 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:58.199 range, a few police officers were shooting when they heard the sounds of gunfire, 80 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:01.519 not their own, coming from what sounded like the justin Time rec Center. 81 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:07.959 The plain closed officers rushed to the scene without a moment's hesitation. Other 82 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:13.279 first responders noticed straight away that there were several rifle cartridges scattered on the floor 83 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:20.399 of the center. Twelve minutes after the first nine to one to one call, 84 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:26.120 several more calls started pouring in reporting another active shooter at a separate location. 85 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:39.120 Captain, this shooting was at Schamenzi's Bar and Grill restaurant. You see 86 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:43.720 victed and flee the first scene, run and hide. His bloodlust wasn't satisfied 87 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:48.559 yet. He entered the bar, and just like at the rec center, 88 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:52.600 he opened fire, shooting the Smith and Weston m and P forty caliber a 89 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:58.480 semi automatic pistol wildly, before turning and running from the bar. Once again, 90 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:01.679 the police response was swift. Officers were unseen within two minutes of the 91 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:07.039 initial nine to one one call, yet Vic was long gone. Eight additional 92 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:13.000 victims were murdered at this location, seven men inside of the bar and one 93 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:16.879 man just outside of the bar. Another three people were shot at the bar 94 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:20.879 and rushed to the emergency room, though sadly each later died as a result 95 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:26.399 of their injuries. Meanwhile, Vic was on the lamb. Police were quickly 96 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:31.399 able to capture an image of him from the surveillance system, and the photo 97 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:35.759 was broadcasted to the public with a bolow warning. A local shelter in place 98 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:41.960 was ordered in Lewiston proper and naturally any schools, specifically local colleges were put 99 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:50.120 on lockdown. Classes the following day were canceled, and before long the lockdown 100 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:54.720 order was extended to Bowdwin. On October twenty sixth, when the shooter was 101 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:58.360 still at large. Because of the proximity to the Canadian border, security was 102 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:03.799 beefed up at the points of entry. The ATF and FBI were called in 103 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:11.679 to assist in the manhunt and investigation. At nine twenty six pm, Vic's 104 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:16.159 sister called police Chief David Saint Pierre with the Lewiston Police Department. She told 105 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:20.919 the chief that she believed her brother was the shooter and she wanted to report 106 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:24.480 it. About a half hour later, Lewiston PD was contacted again, this 107 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:30.120 time by officers with the Lisbon Police Department. Lisbon PD was reporting that they 108 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:35.080 came across a Subaru that was identified in a bolo. The car was parked 109 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:41.720 the Pajepscott Boat Launch, which sat alongside the Androscoggin River in Lisbon. Maine. 110 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:46.519 State Police Detective Connor Walton was tasked to perform a reverse vehicle search on 111 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:50.120 the shooter, and the results came back showing that Vic had a twenty thirteen 112 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:56.480 white Subaru outback and the plates matched the car was there, Vic was not. 113 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:01.840 On October twenty sixth, police issued an arrest warrant for Vic. He 114 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:05.559 was being charged with eight counts of murder, one for each victim that was 115 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:11.799 known at the time. The following day, police dive teams and an rov 116 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:18.399 or remotely operated vehicle were dropped into the river near where Vic's vehicle was discovered. 117 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:24.600 Nothing of evidentiary value was located. Later that day, at seven forty 118 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:30.120 five pm, Vic's body was found situated close to his former workplace, a 119 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:35.919 recycling center, which also sat along the Androscoggin River. The recycling center was 120 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:43.440 actually searched the previous evening, but nothing was found. The owner called police 121 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.480 back on the twenty seventh to ask them to return and search again, but 122 00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:52.600 this time inside of an overflow parking lot and in some storage trailers. He 123 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:56.320 intimated that Vic was very familiar with the property and could likely find an obscure 124 00:11:56.360 --> 00:12:01.440 place to hide. Vic. His body was located inside of an unlocked trailer 125 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:07.600 that was loaded with metal and plastic scrap. Because it wasn't obvious that this 126 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:11.559 lot and trailers were owned by the recycling center, they were across the street, 127 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:16.200 after all, police didn't search the trailers the night before, not knowing 128 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:22.200 it was the recycling center's property. Vic died from a self inflicted gunshot wound, 129 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:26.799 and the subsequent autopsy indicated that he likely died about eight to twelve hours 130 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:45.960 before he was found Back at Vic's house, a note was located and thought 131 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.559 to be a possible suicide letter. It was reportedly addressed to someone important to 132 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:54.080 Vic and included bank account numbers and the passcode to his phone. As is 133 00:12:54.080 --> 00:13:01.039 almost always the case, each firearm VIC possessed was legally purchased despite serious reported 134 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:07.320 mental health issues. There was absolutely nothing barring this monster from arming himself to 135 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:13.840 the teeth so he could commit the most dastardly act known to man. Ronald 136 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:18.759 Ron G. Morin was born on May twenty third, nineteen sixty eight, 137 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:22.440 and the fifty five year old had been employed with Coca Cola since nineteen eighty 138 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:28.000 nine. Ron was known as a conscientious and loyal employee and man who had 139 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:31.639 been married to his soulmate Lynn Morin since nineteen ninety. Ron leaves behind his 140 00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:37.159 wife and two adult children, Amy and Eric. Peyton Brewer Ross was born 141 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:41.200 on January thirty first, nineteen eighty three. The forty year old pipe fitter 142 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:48.039 leaves behind fiancee Rachel and their little girl, l Thirty six year old Joshua 143 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:52.600 Seal was born on September ninth, nineteen eighty seven, and was a certified 144 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:56.720 deaf interpreter as well as the director of interpreting services at Pine Tree Society. 145 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:01.240 Joshua married the love of his life and they had been together forever, but 146 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:05.440 married four years. The couple had four children, including a twelve year old, 147 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:11.480 nine year old, six year old and four year old. Brian m 148 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:16.480 MacFarlane was forty one years old and was raised in the Greater Portland area and 149 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:22.000 attended the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. Brian was incredibly proud, rightfully 150 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:26.440 so, of his greatest life's achievement, which was becoming the first deaf person 151 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:33.039 in the state of Vermont to earn his CDL or commercial Driver's license. Motorsports 152 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:37.519 were his passion, including RCA racing, snowmobiling and motorcycling, but he also 153 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:43.159 thoroughly enjoyed a good camping trip and spent time with his friends. Fifty seven 154 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:48.519 year old Joseph Joe Lawrence Walker was born on April seventeenth, nineteen sixty six. 155 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:54.759 The manager of Schemengi's Bar and Grill and the Station Grill restaurant. Joe 156 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:58.360 thrived when he was working with and meeting new people, and he genuinely loved 157 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:07.200 his job. Jolie's behind a wife four daughters and two sons. Arthur Ardie 158 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:11.200 Fred Strout was born on April thirtieth, nineteen eighty one, and was described 159 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:16.039 as a true friend, a devoted husband, father, son, uncle, 160 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:20.840 and brother to many. Loved Ones say that the forty two year old loved 161 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:24.879 to laugh and was actually known for his laugh, which was more like a 162 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:30.159 giggle. Already married his best friend Christie on March fifth, twenty sixteen, 163 00:15:30.679 --> 00:15:37.480 and the couple shared a blended family of five children. Thirty five year old 164 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:41.080 Max A. Hathaway was born on May twentieth, nineteen eighty eight. He 165 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:46.879 earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business administration and Finance from the University of 166 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:50.759 Southern Maine. Max's wife was pregnant with their third daughter when he was murdered. 167 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:56.879 Max's wife was pregnant with their third daughter at the time of his murder. 168 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:02.840 Stephen M. Vuzzal was born on November eighteenth, nineteen seventy seven, 169 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:07.320 and attended elementary school at Beverly School for the Deaf before eventually graduating from North 170 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:14.639 Shore Vocational School in nineteen ninety six. Forty five year old Stephen was employed 171 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:18.600 with the United States Post Office as a letter carrier in Boston, Massachusetts from 172 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:22.240 nineteen ninety eight to twenty twenty two, and then in Lewistown until the time 173 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:26.080 he was killed. He is survived by his Cherish wife, Megan, and 174 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:33.120 their daughter. Thomas Ryan Conrad was a thirty four year old who was born 175 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:37.080 in Couville, Whidby Island in Washington State. An Army vet who served in 176 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:41.840 Northern Iraq, Thomas was currently employed at the Just In Time Restaurant. A 177 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:49.600 die hard New England sports enthusiast, he leaves behind one precious daughter, fifty 178 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:53.679 one year old Michael R. Delorier the Second was born on February twelfth, 179 00:16:53.799 --> 00:17:00.559 nineteen seventy two. Known as Mikey by close friends and family, he was 180 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:04.319 employed with Saint Mary's Hospital Covenant Health for thirty years, but at the time 181 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:08.839 of the shooting he was a network engineer for w G Tech. Mikey is 182 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:15.200 survived by his true love Stacy and their two children. Jason Adam Walker was 183 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:19.559 born on December fourth, nineteen seventy one. He graduated from Oak Hill High 184 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:25.119 School in nineteen ninety and immediately enlisted in the Main National Guard, but most 185 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:29.480 of his work life was in the building trades. Fifty one year old Jason 186 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:36.240 is survived by two sons and his loving wife. Tricia c Astlin was a 187 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:40.960 busy fifty three year old woman who was always on the go and often sacrificed 188 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:44.880 her free time in order to give back to others, particularly through the Susan 189 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:48.880 g Coman and the Make a Wish Foundations. Tricia is survived by her treasured 190 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:56.200 son. Forty four year old William Arthur Young was a veteran of the United 191 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:00.279 States Air Force who was an auto mechanic for the past twelve years leading up 192 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:03.519 to the shooting. He will always be remembered for his laugh, which was 193 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:10.519 contagious. William leaves behind his wife, Cynthia, daughter Lauren, and stepdaughter 194 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:15.759 Cayla. The youngest of the victims, fourteen year old Aaron Jacob Young, 195 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:18.880 was just a freshman at Winthrop High School, and he was taken from this 196 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:26.440 world far too young. The young man was an exceptional student who was considerate 197 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:32.839 and kind, genuinely concerning himself with seeing to other people's happiness. Aaron enjoyed 198 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:37.599 playing video games, golfing, and bowling. His father, William Yune, 199 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:41.759 the man he idolized, was shot and killed alongside his son the man he 200 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:49.240 worshiped. Seventy six year old Robert Bob Edward violet a United States Navy veteran, 201 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:56.720 was a retired Sears mechanic and recently employed by Lee Carrs. Along with 202 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:00.000 the absolute love of his life, he was a father to three sons, 203 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:03.759 uns, and a grandfather. Bob was shot and killed while out with his 204 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:11.039 wife, Lucille. Seventy three year old Lucille. Lucy Marie Violette was a 205 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:15.640 sweet and gentlewoman who was known to be the most inviting person, excepting each 206 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:19.400 individual for who they were. She was a long standing employee for Lewiston Public 207 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:26.039 Schools, working as a secretary for fifty two astonishing years. Lucy and Bob 208 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:33.640 are survived by their sons and grandchildren. William Billy Frank Brackett was born on 209 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:38.000 September first, nineteen seventy five, in Hamilton, Ohio. Proud to be 210 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:42.200 a member of the deaf community, Billy stayed active by fishing and hunting, 211 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:47.599 but he was known to love a good game of cornhole. The forty eight 212 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:53.799 year old is survived by his loving wife, Christina and daughter Sandra. Sixty 213 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:57.880 four year old Keith mc nair was only a few years into retirement when he 214 00:19:57.960 --> 00:20:02.640 was murdered. He lived in Florida, but was visiting his son Breslyn in 215 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:06.880 Lewistown. Deciding to go out for an evening, Keith and Breslyn had dinner 216 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:11.200 at the bar and grill together before Breslen had to leave for a meeting. 217 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:15.279 He was supposed to return to the bar after the meeting, but he never 218 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:19.559 made it back to his dad before an active shooter changed his world forever. 219 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:25.640 Keith retired in the fall of twenty twenty from the US National Park Service at 220 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:30.720 the Virgin Islands National Park as well as the Virgin Island's Coral Reef National Monument. 221 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:34.759 He is survived by his only child and many other friends and family. 222 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:57.279 Vic was born on April fourth, nineteen eighty three in bowdowin Maine, which 223 00:20:57.319 --> 00:21:02.279 is approximately two and a half hours worth of Boston. His father was a 224 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:07.279 rural mail carrier who also maintained a small farm where he milled and sold lumber. 225 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:11.119 Vic's dad passed away in two thousand one, and after his death, 226 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:17.400 Vic assumed ownership of his father's estate. It's been reported that Vic's family was 227 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:21.680 one of the most affluent and Bodowin. However, the town is of a 228 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:26.839 smaller scale. From two thousand and one to two thousand four, Vic studied 229 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:33.000 engineering technology but didn't graduate from the University of Maine. Vic was a petroleum 230 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:37.799 supply specialist in the United States Army Reserves, and he'd achieved the rank of 231 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:41.279 Sarchan first Class. Though he'd been active since December of two thousand two, 232 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:45.839 he wasn't ever deployed into combat. He married in two thousand five, but 233 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:49.480 he and his wife split up a mere two years into the marriage. The 234 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:53.839 couple had a son during their brief union and shared custody after the divorce. 235 00:21:55.759 --> 00:22:00.480 About six months before the shooting, Vic's ex wife claimed that he quote recently 236 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:06.039 picked up about ten to fifteen handguns and rifles from his brother's house. It's 237 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:10.920 unclear whether this was reported to anyone prior to the shooting. Their son, 238 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:14.519 who was an adult by the time of the shooting, also reported concerns about 239 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:18.599 his dad, claiming that he was allegedly hearing voices. Vic's son was clear 240 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:23.240 that his father never threatened anyone, but he was concerned about his dad having 241 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:27.160 the weapons when he was obviously not in a good place with his mental health. 242 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:33.599 On August fifth, Vic took a trip to the Coastal Defense Firearms gun 243 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:37.599 shop. He'd ordered a gun silencer online and was there to pick up his 244 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:41.680 purchase. When he arrived, the store representative asked Vic if he'd ever been 245 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:48.119 committed to a mental health facility or if he was ever adjudicated as a mental 246 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:52.839 defective, to which Vic replied, yes, he was. The store refused 247 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:56.920 to complete the transaction and Vic was sent on his way. A month later, 248 00:22:56.000 --> 00:23:00.920 the Sheriff's office was sent a letter at that indicated Vic might quotequote snap 249 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:04.160 and commit a mass shooting. The letter was sent by a fellow Reserve soldier, 250 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:08.759 and officials requested a welfare check on Vic due to their concerns about his 251 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:15.839 behavior. Specifically, they indicated that Vic quote is having psychotic episodes where he 252 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:19.200 is hearing voices that are insulting him, calling him a pedophile, and saying 253 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:25.799 that Vic was quote making threats to shoot up a National Guard building. Yet 254 00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:30.279 another soldier indicated that Vic assaulted him when the pair were driving back from a 255 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:34.160 casino. A welfare check was conducted on September fifteenth, but Vic wasn't at 256 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:41.480 home. A File six, which is similar to a beyond the Lookout or 257 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:45.960 BOLO, was issued. In addition to the File six, authorities were told 258 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:51.519 to approach Vic with caution, citing Vic as quote suffering from psychotic episodes and 259 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:56.359 hearing voices. The following day, on the sixteenth, a deputy went to 260 00:23:56.440 --> 00:24:00.319 Vic's residence again and knocked several times, once again to know avail. The 261 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:04.119 deputy reached out to Vic's unit commander, who claimed that he quote no longer 262 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:07.960 had any weapons from the reserve unit, and the commander felt that Vic was 263 00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:14.519 best left alone. On September seventeenth, another deputy contacted Vic's brother, who 264 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:18.640 informed them that his siblings weapons were all stored on the family farm, locked 265 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:23.759 in a safe, but that they planned to move them. The deputy asked 266 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:29.559 Vic's brother to call him back if they determined that Vic might harm himself or 267 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:33.200 others. It seems numerous efforts were made to check in on Vic. Something 268 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:38.759 didn't feel or seem right, and it was reported and acted upon. Sadly, 269 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:42.599 police never managed to make that contact with Vic, and we know all 270 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:51.400 too well how this story ends. The summer before the shooting, the exact 271 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:55.480 month and date aren't known. Vic did spend two weeks in an impatient mental 272 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:59.920 health treatment facility. It was during that time that Vic was at Camp Smith 273 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:03.200 in New York. After the shooting, Vic's sister, whom we will call 274 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:08.279 Karen, interviewed with Maine State Police Detective Justin Huntley. She wanted to give 275 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:14.119 some background information on exactly who her brother was. The following statements, while 276 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:18.319 not verbatim, have been extracted from the police affidavit. Karen stated that since 277 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:22.680 February of twenty twenty three, Vic was in a delusional state following a devastating 278 00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:27.039 breakup from his ex girlfriend, whom he met at a cornhole tournament in Schemengi's 279 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:32.720 Bar and Grill. Karen went on to say that Vic lost an extreme amount 280 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:37.000 of weight and began making concerning statements. He started wearing hearing aids and stopped 281 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:42.440 taking his prescribed medications. She told police that Vic was incredibly interested in guns, 282 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:48.119 particularly handguns and assault rifles, and described a time when her brother was 283 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:52.680 certain that there was a conspiracy against him and people were calling him a pedophile. 284 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:57.720 Karen explained that those things weren't true, but Vic believed it. In 285 00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:03.119 fact, he thought the entire family, along with various businesses, were all 286 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:07.880 in on the scheme to convince the world of his pedophilia. The businesses that 287 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:14.240 he thought were out to get him Goell's Market, Mixer's Nightclub and Just In 288 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:18.640 Time Recreation, and Schimengi's Bar and Grill, the former two being businesses he 289 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:25.000 attacked in the shooting. The shooter's brain was sent to Boston University for testing, 290 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:30.559 including one test to determine if he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, also 291 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:34.559 known as CTE. The university, which has a research center that is solely 292 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:41.759 focused on CTE research, has described the disease as quote progressive degenerative disease of 293 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:47.039 the brain found in people with a history of repetitive head impacts. Some symptoms 294 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:52.359 of ct include impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, memory loss, 295 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:59.680 confusion, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, parkinsonism, and progressive dementia. 296 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:03.920 Unfortunately, the disease can only be diagnosed after death, when the brain can 297 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:08.440 be fully examined and tested. With more research and understanding of this condition, 298 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:15.640 perhaps we can discover a way of testing before it's far too late. The 299 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:19.440 Just In Time Recreation Center hasn't reopened at the time of this recording, but 300 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:25.920 is undergoing remodeling and plans to open again, hopefully very soon, according to 301 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:30.640 their Facebook page. Schemengi's Bar and Grille is also still closed, but their 302 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:37.200 Facebook page reports that the restaurant does intend to reopen. We all have the 303 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:41.640 unique ability to help prevent such a catastrophic event from happening if we keep our 304 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:45.799 eyes and ears open and never hesitate to report when some thing or some one 305 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:52.160 just doesn't seem right. With the delicate balance of mental health reform, education, 306 00:27:52.359 --> 00:27:56.640 active shooter training, and common sense gun laws, we may one day 307 00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:00.400 realize the dream, the dream that there will be no more active shootings. 308 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:07.920 We pray that love will prevail over hate. Too many have died, we 309 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:15.279 should say to ourselves, not one more. In the meantime, we urge 310 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:18.279 our listeners to stay aware of your surroundings and keep in touch with your loved 311 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:23.559 ones. If you see something, say something, you never know how many 312 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:36.160 lives you'll be saving. Thank you for listening to today's episode of Active Shooter 313 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:41.359 the podcast. Remember, if you see something, say something, there's no 314 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:45.680 telling how many lives you may be saving. A big thank you to Darren 315 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:51.279 Curtis who composed some of the songs on our show. You can find him 316 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:57.759 online at www dot Darrencurtis music dot com. Make sure to check us out 317 00:28:57.759 --> 00:29:03.000 on social media. You can find us on Facebook at Active Shooter the Podcast 318 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:11.799 and on Twitter at podcast Active. Thank you and be safe.