US authorities are searching for Robert Card, the suspect in the shootings at two locations in Lewiston, Maine.
In Lewiston, Maine, Maine state police have issued a shelter-in-place order after a gunman killed more than 20 people, the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since August 2019.
US law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing the perpetrator, and here’s the current information available regarding the incident:
How many people were killed in the Lewiston mass shooting?
According to US news outlets, police have said that the death toll in the attack ranges from 16 to 22, with dozens more injured.
What happened and when?
The shooting began at 6:56 p.m. Eastern Time (22:56 GMT) on Wednesday, and people of all ages were seen fleeing the affected areas, according to officials and witnesses.
At around 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (23:00 GMT), the shooting locations were identified as Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way in Lewiston, Maine, and Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street in Lewiston, Maine.
At 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (00:00 GMT), the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office announced on Facebook that authorities were investigating an active shooter situation. They also released photos of the suspect holding a rifle and called for businesses to lock down.
Officials in Lewiston and the neighboring city of Auburn began asking residents to shelter in place. Schools, businesses, roads, and offices in high-risk areas of Maine were ordered to close.
At 9:17 p.m. Eastern Time (01:17 GMT on Thursday), Lewiston police released an image of the suspect’s SUV, a white Subaru Forester, found in Lisbon, about 8 miles (13 km) away from Lewiston, along the Route 196 highway.Later, some roads in Lewiston were also reported closed, and police helicopters were seen circling over Lisbon.
Where did the recent shooting take place?
The shooting took place in Lewiston, which is the second-largest city in the state of Maine. Lewiston is conveniently located midway between Maine’s capital, Augusta, and its largest city, Portland. Lewiston is situated within Androscoggin County.
Maine is positioned in the northeastern part of the United States, bordered by the state of Massachusetts and Canada’s Quebec province. According to the 2020 census data, Maine boasts the highest percentage of white population in the nation.
Who was responsible for the incident?
A man named Robert Card, aged 40, has been identified as a “person of interest” in the case. Authorities have described him as “armed and dangerous” and have advised Maine residents not to approach or make contact with him. They are urging the public to promptly inform law enforcement if they have any information about his whereabouts.
Robert Card, who is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve, recently made threats about carrying out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine.
It has been reported that Card was committed to a mental health facility for a two-week period during the summer, as indicated in a notice from the Maine Information & Analysis Center, which was circulated among law enforcement officials, according to The Associated Press news agency.
During a news briefing on Wednesday night, Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner, Mike Sauschuck, stated that they were not ready to divulge detailed information about Card’s background.
Is Lewiston now safe?
The situation is currently in a state of flux as a manhunt is in progress.
The suspect’s vehicle was found abandoned at a boat launch along the Androscoggin River, with the bumper painted black. Officials remain uncertain whether he fled into the woods or abandoned the car and possibly used a boat for escape, according to sources cited by CNN. Reports indicate that Card had rented a jet ski in June.
There is currently a shelter advisory in effect for Lewiston, Auburn, and Bowdoin in Maine. In response to the ongoing situation, some municipal offices, libraries, businesses, and schools have been closed in certain areas.
What’s the public reaction to the Maine shooting?
US President Joe Biden called Maine political leaders to offer his support after the deadly shooting in Lewiston. Maine Governor Janet Mills said she was monitoring the situation with the help of public safety officials. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said he was “heartbroken” for the city and its people.
Schemengees Bar and Grille, one of the shooting locations, expressed its pain over the incident on its Facebook page.
What is happening next?
Per official statements, the incident is currently under investigation by numerous law enforcement agencies with the involvement of hundreds of officers.
On Thursday at 10:30 AM (14:30 GMT), Maine police officials will be conducting a press conference at Lewiston City Hall.
Multiple U.S. agencies, such as the FBI’s Boston division and the Department of Homeland Security, have offered their assistance to Maine authorities for the purpose of both investigation and providing aid to the victims.