In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings in the United States. The one in Lewiston, Maine — where an Army reservist killed 18 people and wounded 13 — was the year’s deadliest.
From the PBS investigative series FRONTLINE and its Local Journalism Initiative partners the Portland Press Herald and Maine Public, Breakdown in Maine examines a series of missteps by the military, local law enforcement and mental health providers before the tragedy. The documentary also probes Maine’s unique gun laws and details the shooter’s brain injuries, possibly sustained during his time as an Army grenade instructor.
“There were breakdowns on a whole lot of levels. It wasn’t one mistake. It wasn’t one person, wasn’t one institution.”
~ John Terhune, Portland Press Herald reporter
Directed by Bronwyn Berry. Produced by James Blue. Edited by Andrew Gersh.
Breakdown in Maine has been nominated for the George Foster Peabody Award and two national News and Documentary Emmy® Awards. Read more and watch the full film at the official site.