At Least 22 Killed In Shootings At Bowling Alley In US' Maine, Gunman At Large
At least 22 people have been shot dead in a shooting incident in the state of Maine, USA. The Maine State Police have reported multiple casualties in various locations in Lewiston, Maine. They are currently searching for Robert R. Card of Bowdoin, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The shooting occurred around 7 pm ET. Lewiston police reported active shooting incidents at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way, and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street.
According to reports 60 are injured in the shootings happened on Wednesday evening local time. As per The Associated Press, the death toll from the attack is likely to rise. State and local police have confirmed that hundreds of officers are in search for the suspect but haven”t given any updates regarding the number of people dead or injured. About 39,000 people live in Lewiston.
As per the state police bulletin, Card is a firearm instructor at a US army reserve training center in Maine. The 40-year-old has history of mental health problems including hearing voices. It has been reported that Card has spent two weeks in a mental health facility during the summer, says Al Jazeera.
“My understanding is that they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” City Councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN.
In a series of X posts, the Maine Police have asked the general public not to approach Card or contact him if seen.
“There is an active shooter in Lewiston. We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations. If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911,” the first tweet after the shooting said.
There is an active shooter in Lewiston. We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations. If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/RrGMG6AvSI
— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) October 26, 2023
“The shelter-in-place order remains in effect in Lewiston. A vehicle of interest has been located in Lisbon, and we are now also asking residents in Lisbon to shelter in place while law enforcement works in that area to locate Card. We ask anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 911. For those with questions about their loved ones, a reunification center has been established at Auburn Middle School, located at 38 Falcon Drive in Auburn,” the Maine State Police said.
President Biden has been briefed on the shootings and has also spoken to the Governor and Senators individually. If the death toll of 22 is confirmed, then Lewiston attack would be the deadliest shooting in the US since at least August 2019.
