Mixed emotions in Maine following the demise of the gunman

The city of Lewiston in Maine has been in a state of tension for 48 hours as the man accused of killing 18 people in a bar and a bowling alley was being hunted down. Finally, news of the suspect's death has triggered a mix of emotions. When Jen Earle, a lifelong Maine resident, saw the bright, red banner on the TV at her hotel bar, she was visibly overcome and clapped. She immediately called her daughter, a former employee of one of the shooting sites, and they cried tears of relief. The governor of Maine later confirmed that the suspect's body had been found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was discovered near the shooting location. The police had extensively searched the area and kept thousands of people under lockdown. Businesses in the south of Maine voluntarily shut down and there was a general feeling of fear throughout the state. However, now that the suspect is no longer a threat, residents are beginning to feel some relief. Despite this, the grief over the 18 victims remains devastating for the community. The victims' ages ranged from 14 to 74, and the tragedy hit Maine's deaf and hard of hearing community particularly hard. Four members of a deaf cornhole team were killed and two others injured. The community is shattered, and a sense of immense sadness prevails. The shocking events have left many struggling to come to terms with the reality of gun violence. As a result, some residents have started to arm themselves for their safety. Gun sales have surged, with one gun store owner reporting a substantial increase in sales, particularly from first-time buyers. The occurrence of such a tragedy in Lewiston, a place that was once seen as safe, has shattered the illusion that these kinds of problems can't happen there.