4 Deaf Friends Were Killed During the Maine Mass Shootings

From left, Billy Brackett, Joshua Seal and Steven Vozzella.

On Wednesday night, multiple friends — including members of the deaf community — gathered atSchemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston, Maine, to play cornhole. Around 7 p.m., a gunman stormed in the restaurant and opened fire on innocent people for a second time that evening, killing seven people inside and one person outside, officials announced.

Four of the people killed at Schemengees — Joshua Seal, Billy Brackett, Steve Vozzella and Bryan MacFarlane — were deaf, according toThe Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing(MECDHH), and their untimely deaths have left the local deaf community reeling.

“We lost four of our cherished community members in last night’s Lewiston shootings, a statement from MECDHH reads in part. “Including two fathers of children in our programs. Some of our staff were very close to these members of our community.”

The friends were playing cornhole at the time they were killed,The New York Timesreports.

“Some of them were really passionate about the competition, but really, it was just an opportunity for deaf folks to hang out together, apart from the hearing world,” Joshua’s wife, Elizabeth Seal, who is also deaf, toldThe Times. “To be together and communicate with your people in your language — it is priceless.”

OnFacebook, Elizabeth remembered her husband as an amazing father to their four children and “a wonderful husband, my best friend, and my soulmate. He was also a wonderful boss, an incredible interpreter, a great friend, a loving son, brother, uncle, and grandson. He loved his family and always put them first.”

Joshua was the Director of Interpreting Services atPine Tree Society.

“He was a husband, a father of four and a tireless advocate for the Deaf community,” the society wrote in a statement. “He was committed to creating safe space for Deaf people.”

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MacFarlane’s sister, Keri Brooks, toldCNNthat her brother was also playing cornhole with his friends on Wednesday night.

“I grew up in Maine, and the deaf community is a tight-knit community,” Brooks told CNN. “Not only was my brother slain, but my friends were too.”

Steve’s wife Megan Vozzella toldUSA Todaythat her husband went to the restaurant to play cornhole with friends. On Facebook, theNew England Deaf Cornhole groupstated that Steve was a member.

“He won several podiums and eager to play more,” a post in the group reads. “He will be missed on and off the courts!”

Billy Brackett was also playing the game he loved on Wednesday night, according to aGoFundMecreated for his family.

“Billy was a son, a husband, a father, a uncle and a friend to many, especially in the deaf community he loved so much,” the fundraiser reads. “He loved darts, and has been competing for years, he loved cornhole, enjoyed fishing and hunting.”

Brackett leaves behind his wife and 2-year-old daughter, according to the GoFundMe.

According toThe Times, two other team members of the nine-person team were injured in the shooting but survived.

During a Friday press conference, authorities confirmed the names of all18 victims.

source: people.com