LEWISTON, MAINE: Tricia Asselin was among the victims who were fatally shot during the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night, October 25.
The 53-year-old reportedly died while she tried to call for help during the deadly shooting but was shot to death while she was dialling 911, said her sister.
Tricia Asselin 'put herself' in the gunman's way while trying to get help for others
Bobbi-Lynn Nichols, who is mourning the loss of her younger sister Tricia Asselin, said she accompanied her to the bowling alley Sparetime Recreation where the victim worked part-time.
Asselin was on her day off, however, she asked Nichols to join her for bowling, reports People.
A "loud pop" was heard when the sisters were bowling. Nichols recalled that at first she did not realize it was a gunshot but understood the gravity of the situation only after she heard a second shot.
At around 7 pm, the shooter opened fire at the bowling alley and at a nearby bar. The mass shooting left 18 dead and 13 others injured.
"We were just running, and I kept saying: 'I want my sister out of there,' And she called 911 and put herself in his way by trying to get help. She’s a hero. My sister is a hero," she said.
Bobbi-Lynn Nichols described Tricia Asselin as the 'most honest' person
Nichols said the situation was like a "stampede" as she, along with others, began running out of the bowling alley.
"We just wanted to run as far as we could," said Nichols.
However, once Nichols came outside of the alley, she realized Asselin was not with her. She said her sister was shot when she pulled out her phone to dial 911.
"My sister was the most kind, most honest, most giving person you would ever meet," said Nichols.
"She would take her last penny and give it to you. She would raise money for people she didn't even know," she added.
Tricia Asselin's grieving mother says she wants to remember her daughter for her generosity
Speaking to People, Asselin's mother revealed that her daughter was an athlete and she coached Little League in Auburn.
Alicia Lachance shared that her daughter recently raised $900 funds for a breast cancer walk and she wants Asselin to be remembered for her generosity.
Asselin's sister Nichols also shared that she wants to honor her sister's memory by walking at the breast cancer walk in 2024. "I would walk for her. I would do it," she said.
A manhunt is still underway for the shooting suspect identified as Robert Card, 40, according to authorities who stated that he is "armed and extremely dangerous."
