Devastating Impact of Central Maine Mass Shootings on Deaf Community as Four Members Killed in Attack

This week’s mass shootings in Central Maine have had a particularly devastating impact on the local deaf community. Four members of the community were among the 18 people killed in the attack.

Karen Hopkins, the executive director of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, spoke out about the tragedy. “Our close-knit community is grieving deeply,” she said.

The four members of the deaf community who were killed in the attack were Joshua Seal, William “Billy” Brackett, Steve Vozzella and Bryan MacFarlane. They had gone to Schemengees Bar & Grille in Lewiston, Maine, to compete in a cornhole tournament when a gunman opened fire.

Elizabeth Seal, Joshua’s wife, was at home getting her children ready for bed when she heard about the shooting. She soon learned that her husband had been killed alongside his friends.

“We lost four of our cherished community members,” said Hopkins. “This tragedy has left us all in shock and mourning.”

The Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf has been providing education and support for the deaf community and their families for 65 years. In the wake of this tragedy, the school is offering counseling and other resources to help the community heal.