Maine State Police release hundreds of photos from Lewiston mass shooting investigation

Maine State Police have made public hundreds of images from the investigation of the tragic mass shooting in Lewiston that occurred in 2023, which resulted in 18 fatalities and 13 injuries. The release of these photographs was prompted by a public records request and includes aerial views of the crime scenes, as well as detailed images of the shooter’s abandoned vehicle discovered at a boat launch in Lisbon.

Among the 800 images made public, there are also photographs of the high-powered weapons and ammunition that were found inside the shooter’s car. However, this set of images represents only a small portion of the more than 15,000 photos taken during the investigation.

In a statement, the Maine State Police explained that they are withholding a significant number of additional photographs to respect the privacy of survivors, the families of the victims, and individuals who were present during the investigation. The police emphasized their commitment to avoiding the release of graphic images related to the tragedy.

Furthermore, the agency expressed concern over disclosing images that might reveal their investigative techniques or security measures, which could compromise ongoing and future law enforcement activities.

The decision to release the limited number of images aims to balance public interest with the need for compassion and privacy in light of the horrific event.