From Homelessness to Founding the Lewiston Institute: A Journey of Resilience and Action
On October 25, 2023, two mass shootings devastated Lewiston, Maine, forever changing lives—including my own. It forced me to confront a question I couldn’t ignore: How do we stop this from happening again?
My journey began in 2010 after a car accident unraveled my life, plunging me into years of homelessness and job insecurity. Shelters, stairwells, and parking garages became my reality. But in those dark times, I found an unshakable resilience that would guide me forward.
Eventually, I landed a role as an operations analyst at Wayfair, where I uncovered my talent for analyzing data. In fact, I was so talented that I predicted the closure of Wayfair's Maine operations and the company’s contraction, which also meant I lost my job. In hindsight, it should have been an aha moment, but it wasn’t quite clear yet.
The Lewiston shootings were the turning point. Many questions arose after learning this tragedy could have been prevented, which led me to wonder if the same methodology I used to predict Wayfair’s closures could predict mass shootings. But I was initially overwhelmed by the complexity of tackling this issue through traditional methods. That's when I turned to machine learning, combining my data expertise with a vision for prevention.
The result? Nico, an AI assistant powered by my algorithm, SentinelForecast360. I honestly never imagined that this skill would one day become a tool to save lives, but it has. Ultimately, I've developed a cutting-edge system that predicts mass shootings based on high-risk hotspots and delivers actionable insights to help communities prevent tragedy.
But this isn’t just a story about technology, it’s about grit, it's about being Lewiston Strong. With no funding, no team, and just a cellphone, I built this system, driven by a belief that lives could be saved. While the Lewiston Institute is fueled by innovation, it’s also about systemic change.
I’ve introduced the Preventive Threat Elimination Act to improve intervention strategies and the National Gun Manufacturers Tax Reform and Accountability Act to push the gun industry toward greater responsibility. These initiatives are part of a larger mission to create a safer, more accountable future.
The Lewiston Institute is proof that from adversity, innovation can arise—and from tragedy, action.
I hope that those reading this find inspiration in my journey and the obstacles I’ve overcome to achieve this scientific breakthrough. The lesson I can share is that resilience and determination can turn even the darkest moments into opportunities for growth and change. Believe in yourself, and never forget that you have the strength to rise above any circumstance.