At least 22 people are reportedly dead in Maine’s second-largest city, Lewiston, after a still-active shooter went on a rampage in at least three locations.
Lewiston Police said in a Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille, a Walmart, and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley.
The suspect has reportedly been identified as a man named Robert Card.
“Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders access to the hospitals,” police said.
On its website, Central Maine Medical Center said staff were “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event” and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients.
The alert for Lewiston was made shortly after 8 p.m. as the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office reported that law enforcement agencies were investigating “two active shooter events.”
The sheriff’s office said the suspect was still at large.
“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate,” the sheriff’s office reported.
A spokesperson for Maine Department of Public Safety urged residents to stay in their homes with their doors locked.
“Law enforcement is currently investigating at two locations right now,” Shannon Moss said. “Again please stay off the streets and allow law enforcement to diffuse the situation.”
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released two photos of the suspect on its Facebook page that showed a gunman walking into an establishment with a weapon raised to his shoulder.
Gov. Janet Mills released a statement echoing those instructions. She said she has been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials.
Ange Amores, a spokesperson for the city of Lewiston, said city officials are not commenting on the shooting. Amores said Maine State Police were planning to hold a news conference, likely at city hall, to update the public on Wednesday night.
Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent, said
he was “deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbors” and was monitoring the situation. King’s office said the senator would be headed directly home to Maine once the Senate’s final vote is held Thursday afternoon.
(AP/YWN)
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4 Responses
I agree with democrats Hakeem Jeffries and Rashisha Tlaib. I hope the police & law enforcement will show “restraint” in pursuing this “militant”. Both sides have to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric. Hopefully the police will negotiate with this freedom fighter and won’t harm him.
Lewiston was hurt very badly by the opioid crisis. Its a nice place. May they catch this murderer and may the victims rest in piece . In these places they have very few police and likely need state police or even national guard to help find him. May they catch the murderer.
To retaliate or do anything to this poor shooter would be inhumane at best. He probably just wants to be free, from the river to the sea.
a. gutteres u.n. a. g. will probably say here too it doesnt come from a vacuum… he was oppressed….