By Holly Ramer, Lisa Rathke and Patrick Whittle - The Associated Press
Although authorities have not released the names of the 18 people killed in the two mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, their families and friends have begun to share their stories.
State police say seven people died Wednesday at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, eight more at the Schemengees Bar and Grille and three others after being taken to area hospitals.
[Follow the minute-by-minute coverage of the Maine shooting here]
As of Friday, the identities of 16 of the 18 fatalities were known and only the ages of some of them had been revealed.
Villagers post messages after deadly shootings in Maine.Boston Globe via Getty Images
They are Maxx Hathaway, 35; Bryan MacFarlane, 40; Billy Brackett, Thomas Tommy Conrad, Ron Morin, Arthur Strout, Steve Vozzella, Jason Walker, Bob Violette, 76; Michael Deslauriers II, Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40; Joe Walker, Joshua Seal, 53-year-old Tricia Asselin, Bill Young and their 14-year-old son Aaron Young.
A bowling coach popular with children and a bar manager whose father said he tried to confront the shooter and died "like a hero" were among at least 18 people killed and 13 wounded.
Here's what is known so far about those who lost their lives in the massacre.
Bob Violette
Retired Bob Violette, 76, was serving as a volunteer coach for the youth bowling league and was practicing Wednesday night, said Patrick Poulin, whose teenage son has been a member of the league for three years.
"He's taught a lot of people how to bowl over the years, and he didn't get paid," he said. "We've been focused on keeping this sport alive, and Bob was an essential part of that."
Violette's daughter confirmed her death to WBZ-TV. Poulin described him as a close and caring person.
"Sometimes kids have a hard time for whatever reason, discouraged or something," she said. "He was great at encouraging them and getting them through problems."
Two weeks ago, Poulin was at the bowling alley with his son and offered some advice. Although the younger one resisted, he eventually accepted the advice and played a great game.
Michael Deslauriers
Michael Deslauriers' father told CBS News that his son was among those killed at the bowling alley. His father, who shares the same name, said the victim and a friend were killed when they tried to attack the shooter after making sure their wives and several children were safe.
Peyton Brewer-Ross
Peyton Brewer-Ross was a dedicated pipefitter at the Bath Iron Works whose death leaves a huge void in the lives of his partner, young daughter and friends, union members said.
Brewer-Ross, 40, had been a five-year member of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers Association Local S6, the union said in a statement. He had graduated from an apprenticeship program last year, the document said.
Peyton Brewer-Ross, one of the victims in the Maine shooting. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local S6
Brewer-Ross loved cornhole, wrestling and comic book superheroes, according to the union. He delighted teammates and friends by frequently quoting Macho Man Randy Savage, one of his favorite wrestlers.
"Peyton was not just a pipefitter colleague, but a friend to many at Bath Iron Works," said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan, who is also a member of Local S6 and a former employee of Bath Iron Works.
[Deputies surrounded the shooting suspect's home in Lewiston, Maine, but did not find him]
The victim was also a member of the Local S6 Education Committee, loved to help others and was well-liked for his good nature and humor, union members said.
"Unfortunately, this horrific tragedy has affected our IAM family in a catastrophic way," Sullivan said. "We will be there for families, the community and our members in whatever way is needed today and in the future."
Joe Walker
Joe Walker, 56, was the manager of the Schemengees Bar and Grille. His father, Auburn Councilman Leroy Walker, told NBC News on Thursday that his son was shot twice in the stomach when he went after the shooter with a butcher knife.
"He died a hero," she said.
Awaiting confirmation of his worst fears Wednesday night, Walker told the network he felt like he was being "gutted and neck-crushed."
"And I don't know, if I tell the truth, what kind of night this is going to be from now to tomorrow when I wake up to the real facts that my son is dead; And I know he's dead," she said. "I know it as well as I know I'm here saying it because it's not here, or in any other hospital and it's not running through the streets. He ran the Schemengees bar, so I know he was there."
Joshua Seal
Joshua Seal, one of the victims in the Maine shooting.Pine Tree Society
The sign language interpreter during briefings on the COVID-19 pandemic in Maine died after the shooting.
"He was a husband, father of four and a tireless advocate for the deaf community," said the statement from the Pine Tree Society, a disability support and services organization, for which Seal was the director of interpreter services.
Seal was described as a person "committed to creating safe spaces for deaf people."
Tricia Asselin
The mother of 53-year-old Tricia Asselin said her daughter was shot while calling 911. The woman says she wants to hold her body one last time.
"Tricia didn't deserve it; No one deserved it. The man who did it has no soul. I pray to God he doesn't do that to anyone else and I hope he gets caught soon," Alicia Johnson-Lachance said in an interview on NBC News' TODAY show.
Bill Young and Aaron Young
Bill Young and his 14-year-old son Aaron were killed during the shooting at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, according to Rob, Bill's brother.
Father and son were on a regular afternoon with their bowling team, said Rob, who flew from Baltimore to Lewiston to help his sister-in-law with the frantic search for them after hearing nothing from them.
"It was a children's event. Who expects a shooter to walk into a children's event?" asked Kim McConville, Bill's cousin.