Liberal Forum

A New England city was transformed by refugees; now, it faces a youth gun violence crisis: 'Fear for my life'Mohamed Muhumed says he fears for his life in Lewiston, Maine, where over 80% of gun violence incidents involve teenagers, many of them repeat offenders.

Gun violence rattles Maine city transformed by Somali immigration as residents debate root causes​
LEWISTON, Maine — A New England city transformed by an influx of refugees and immigrants is now grappling with a youth gun violence crisis after police reported 35 gun-related incidents this year, 22 involving juveniles.

"I don’t feel safe. I fear for my life," Mohamed Muhumed, a Lewiston teenager, told Fox News Digital. "I saw someone get punched in the middle of the sidewalk over there. It’s crazy."

The city, Maine's second most populous and home to a large population of refugees from Somali and other African nations, is experiencing a serious youth gun violence problem.


Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley called gun violence "one of the most serious public safety challenges" facing the city.

Jon Fetherston, a reporter for the conservative-leaning The Maine Wire who has reported extensively on the issue, told Fox News Digital that "the gun violence in Lewiston is very concerning. The majority ... has been committed by teenagers. ... Multiple times teenagers have been arrested and immediately released by the courts back out on the streets.

"The court systems are being tapped. The DA is frustrated that the courts aren't putting these kids away in jail. ... Residents are scared. Residents are very, very frustrated, and you've got kids shooting kids, and it's almost become commonplace here in Lewiston.""