Odessa Mayor Javier Joven expressed his condolences for the victims of a mass shooting in Maine that occurred on Oct. 25. The incident, which took place at a bowling alley in Lewiston, resulted in at least a dozen fatalities. For Mayor Joven, the shooting hit close to home as it served as a painful reminder of the mass shooting that took place in the Permian Basin on Aug. 31, 2019.
In a Facebook post on the city of Odessa's page, Mayor Joven shared his grief, stating, "I'm truly heartbroken by the tragedy in Maine. Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families." He emphasized the need for the community to come together and find solutions to prevent such senseless acts of violence.
Mayor Joven drew parallels between the events in Maine and the Permian Basin shooting, stating, "Here in the Basin, we know all too well about this kind of pain. Aug 31st changed this community forever." The shooting in Odessa and Midland four years ago claimed the lives of several individuals, including a U.S. Postal Service employee, a high school student, an Army veteran, a business owner, a truck driver, and a married father of two.
Authorities have named 40-year-old Robert Card as a person of interest in the Maine shooting. Card, who is from Bowdoin, Maine, is also connected to a shooting at a nearby bar. As of now, Card remains at large, prompting residents of Lewiston and Auburn to shelter in place. The death toll from the incident is unofficial, according to NBC News.
The tragic events in Maine serve as a somber reminder of the ongoing issue of mass shootings in the United States. Mayor Joven's heartfelt message reflects the unity and determination needed to address and prevent such acts of violence within communities.