President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday night attended a joint event in Lewiston, Maine, to celebrate the areas rich cultural and economic diversity, but their celebration was cut short by a tragedy that took place in the city.
The shooting, which took place near the Lewiston-Auburn bridge, left two dead and two injured. The incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m., just as the President and the Prime Minister were arriving at the event.
President Biden was reportedly briefed on the shooting before the event and received updates during the event. He made a statement afterwards expressing his deep sorrow and sympathies for the victims and their families, and thanked the law enforcement officers who responded to the scene.
The President and the Prime Minister then joined hands in a moment of silence to honor the victims and their families. After the event, President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese spoke to the press and issued statements expressing their shared sorrow and condolences for the victims.
In his statement, President Biden said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of those who were taken away too soon.”
Prime Minister Albanese echoed this sentiment stating, “It is with a heavy heart that I stand here tonight, and I offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those affected by this terrible tragedy. We stand with the people of Lewiston in this difficult time.”
The Lewiston Police Department is actively investigating the shooting and are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward. As of now, the motive for the shooting remains unclear.
The President and the Prime Minister both expressed their gratitude for the Lewiston community and their strong sense of resilience. The two leaders said that despite the tragedy, they were proud to celebrate the area’s rich cultural and economic diversity.
President Biden also praised the community for coming together in a time of crisis. He said, “Even in the face of tragedy, the people of Lewiston have shown courage, resilience, and a spirit of unity. I am inspired and humbled by the community’s strength in the face of hardship.”
The shooting in Lewiston, Maine, serves as a stark reminder of the realities of gun violence in our country. President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese both urged the nation to come together to end the scourge of gun violence.
This tragedy serves as a reminder that we all must do more to prevent senseless violence. This includes stronger and smarter gun laws, greater access to mental health services, and more resources to support victims and survivors.
We must also continue to invest in communities like Lewiston that have been hit particularly hard by gun violence. This means investing in jobs and economic opportunities, strengthening community-based organizations, and making sure that everyone in our communities has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have shown that they are ready and willing to take action to end gun violence in the United States and Australia. We must continue to encourage our leaders to support meaningful gun reform that will save lives. We must never forget the tragedy that occurred in Lewiston, Maine, and we must never stop fighting for a future free of gun violence.
