Patrick Dempsey Devastated After Mass Shooting in Hometown of Lewiston, Maine
The former star of Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey, expressed his deep sorrow following a tragic mass shooting that took place in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine. The shooting resulted in the loss of 18 lives and left another 13 injured. Dempsey, 57, took to his Instagram on Thursday to share a statement regarding the recent events in his community.
In his heartfelt post, Dempsey wrote, “I am shocked, and deeply saddened by last night’s tragedy in my hometown, Lewiston, Maine. Maine has always been known for its strong sense of community, and now we must come together to support all those affected by this senseless act.”
He continued, “My family and I are devastated for the victims, their families, and the entire community.”
The shooting occurred at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley, and Schemengees Bar and Grille, located approximately four miles away in Lewiston. The town, with a population of about 38,500, is the second-most populous city in Maine. It is also home to Bates College and the Dempsey Center, a facility founded by Patrick Dempsey himself to provide support for cancer patients.
Dempsey established the Dempsey Center in 2008 in honor of his mother, Amanda, who battled ovarian cancer. The center focuses on offering comprehensive and personalized cancer care completely free of charge. In addition to the main location in Lewiston, there is another branch in South Portland.
Faced with an ongoing manhunt for the suspect, many businesses, including the Dempsey Center, chose to close on Thursday. Scheduled events were also postponed, such as the comedy shows featuring Pete Davidson and John Mulaney.
The Lewiston police have shared images of the suspect, who can be seen holding an assault rifle, on their Facebook page. They have also released a photo of the suspect’s car. As eight of the deceased victims have been identified, an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect on eight counts of murder.
Authorities have revealed that the suspect is a Petroleum Supply Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve. According to reports, he is a military-trained firearms instructor and had recently been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks. The suspect had allegedly made threats to carry out a shooting at a military base in Saco, Maine, and claimed to have heard voices.
During a press conference, Colonel William Ross of the Maine State Police urged anyone who encounters the suspect or someone resembling him to immediately contact 911.
In the wake of this tragedy, the community of Lewiston must come together to heal and support one another. Patrick Dempsey’s words and the establishment of the Dempsey Center demonstrate the strength and resilience of this close-knit community.
Sources: People
