When Mass Shooting Victim Funds Went to Somali-Linked Nonprofits

Two years ago, I covered the Lewiston, Maine mass shooting — and I hated making that video.

Not because it wasn’t important, but because nobody wins when innocent people are killed. Survivors don’t win. Families don’t win. Communities don’t win.

What’s come out since then might be even harder to watch.

Because this story isn’t about the shooter.

It’s about what happened after the shooting stopped.

Donors were told — clearly and explicitly — that 100% of the money raised would go to victims and survivors. That wasn’t marketing language. That was a moral contract.

Instead, nearly 30% of the funds — about $1.9 million — were redirected to dozens of nonprofits, while actual survivors were left struggling to cover massive medical bills.

One survivor, shot twice, received $32,000 — and was later faced with a $93,000 hospital bill she couldn’t pay.

This video breaks down:

What donors were promised

Where the money actually went

Who was left without adequate help

Why this is an accountability issue, not a political one

And how tragedy can quietly turn into a business model

This is not an immigration argument.

This is not a race argument.

And it’s not about whether nonprofits ever do good work.

This is about trust.

Victim money is not community money.

Survivor funds are not a slush fund.

And tragedy is not an excuse to blur ethical lines.

You don’t have to agree with me on gun policy to recognize when something is wrong.

👇 Let me know your thoughts in the comments — but keep it honest and grounded in facts.