LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Megan Vozzella treasures the memories she made with her late husband, Stephen. Their love story began when they met at a camping trip near Bar Harbor, and after 12 years together, they finally tied the knot in November 2022. Tragically, their celebration was cut short when Stephen was among those killed in a shooting outside Schemengee’s Bar & Grille on October 25.
The shooting took the lives of 18 people and injured 13, including four members of Maine’s deaf community. Megan remembers the difficulty of facing her first November without her husband, feeling the absence of his laughter and love in their home.
Since the shooting, an independent investigation has been launched to address potential missteps in preventing the gunman’s actions. Some of the victims’ families have also spoken out in favor of gun reform and changes to mental health care.
Megan Vozzella’s decision to speak out now is driven by her desire to ensure her husband’s memory is honored and to bring attention to the needs of the deaf community in Maine. She has expressed frustration with the lack of media coverage and information accessibility for the deaf community in the aftermath of the shooting.
Looking ahead, Megan is focused on raising their children and keeping Stephen’s memory alive. She is anticipating the investigations into the shooting and is advocating for resources to support gun reform and mental health initiatives.
In the end, Megan emphasized her late husband’s compassion and her belief that he will continue to watch over their family. She is determined to see a comprehensive approach to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The shooting at Schemengee’s Bar & Grille on October 25, 2022, claimed the lives of 18 victims and injured 13. Megan Vozzella continues to advocate for her late husband and the needs of the deaf community in Maine, while also seeking justice and support for mental health and gun reform initiatives.