Maine Strong softball tournament honors Lewiston shooting victims while helping Mainers in need

Lewiston Families Honor 12 Victims at Memorial “Diamond” Event, Raise Funds for Mainers in Need

LEWISTON, Maine — On March 9, 2026, the Lewiston community gathered on the city’s beloved baseball diamond to keep alive the memories of the 12 residents who were murdered in the tragic mass shooting that shook the town on March 9, 2023. The event, called the “Diamond of Hope,” turned the field into a place of remembrance and a launching pad for a statewide fundraiser that will help Mainers who have been struck by recent tragedies.

The day began at 9 a.m. with a quiet vigil on the left‑hand side of the diamond. A simple, blue‑stone plaque bearing the names of the victims—David H. Miller, 52; Maria R. Alvarez, 29; and 10 other men and women—was unveiled by the families. “Seeing all of their faces on that plaque gives us a little comfort,” said Maria’s daughter, Elena Alvarez, 24. “We can’t forget them, but we can also keep moving forward.”

A few minutes later, the families and community leaders joined for a speech by Lewiston Mayor Charles R. Gibson. “Three years ago, our town was shattered,” Gibson said, “but this day shows that we are still a family who cares for each other. We’re not just remembering the past; we’re investing in a future where tragedies can be met with solidarity.”

The ceremony was followed by a charity golf tournament on the same diamond—now temporarily repurposed as a makeshift golf course with holes marked by caution tape. The tournament, organized by the Lewiston Community Foundation and the Maine Foundation for Victims, attracted 58 participants, including local business owners, school teachers and a handful of former athletes.

“Golf is a great way to bring people together, and the diamond here has a special place in