"Maine Mass Shooting Shakes Deaf Community, Leaving 4 Dead"

The mass shooting in Maine that killed 18 people, including four deaf individuals, during a cornhole tournament for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, is believed to be the worst-ever mass shooting affecting the deaf community. The shooting was likely particularly traumatic for deaf survivors, who may not have known to take cover or when the shooting ended. The loss of the four men hits hard in Maine, a small state with limited resources for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The shooter deliberately targeted two locations, including the bowling alley where seven people died, before driving to the bar where he killed eight. The loss of an ASL interpreter, who was a key figure during the pandemic, will further impact the deaf community's access to essential services.