On Wednesday evening the metropolis of Lewiston, Maine, was shaken after a gunman opened fire in several locations. Police scrambled to search out the shooter, advising residents and native companies to lock down instantly.
Maine legislation enforcement officers later introduced that Robert Card, a 40-year-old man, was the “individual of curiosity” in the shootings that claimed dozens of lives at a Lewiston bar and bowling alley.
Right here’s what we know thus far.
Who’s Robert Card?
After figuring out Robert Card as the “individual of curiosity”, the sheriff’s workplace made images of him public for identification. He might be seen in the photographs sporting brown garments and brandishing a high-powered assault-style rifle.
The legislation enforcement additionally unveiled an image of the car below investigation – a compact white SUV that includes a entrance bumper painted black. It was a automobile that the Maine State Police confirmed as belonging to the shooter.
As of 9pm native time on Wednesday night, the shooter remained at giant.
Metropolis councilor Robert McCarthy informed CNN that the loss of life toll reached 22. “My understanding is that they’ve a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 useless, many, many extra injured,” he stated.
John Miller, chief legislation enforcement and intelligence analyst for CNN, described the weapon as an AR15-style rifle with a potential telescopic sight. He famous that the gunman was sporting blue tactical pants with “bulging” pockets, suggesting the chance that he was carrying further ammunition.
The individual of curiosity, Card, ought to be thought of armed and harmful, police stated.
As per legislation enforcement studies, Card served as a firearms teacher in the US Military Reserve. He lately disclosed psychological well being points, citing experiences of auditory hallucinations together with listening to voices and threats to shoot up the Nationwide Guard Base in Saco, based on a Maine legislation enforcement bulletin seen by the Related Press.
He was additionally dedicated to a psychological well being facility for 2 weeks throughout the summer time of 2023. In accordance with a report by Macra, Card has a historical past of arrests for home violence and different crimes.
The place did the incidents happen?
Police, fireplace and rescue personnel first descended on Sparetime Recreation on Mollison Means, in Lewiston, about 7.15pm native time after a report of an lively shooter, based on Maine newspaperThe Sun Journal.
Shortly afterwards, studies circulated on-line that one other incident had taken place at an area bar and restaurant – Schemengees – on close by Lincoln Road.
Round an hour after the first police exercise, Lewiston public data officer Derrick St Laurent informed The Solar Journal that one other shooting had been reported at the Walmart Distribution Middle on Alfred A Plourde Parkway.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s workplace later launched two photos of the individual of curiosity coming into a bowling alley – showing to verify studies on the first location.
What occurred in the preliminary aftermath?
Video shared on-line confirmed a number of police automobiles in the native space.
A message put out on-line by Maine State Police suggested members of the public to “shelter in place”.
“There’s an lively shooter in Lewiston. We ask individuals to shelter in place. Please keep inside your house with the doorways locked. Regulation enforcement is at present investigating at a number of places,” the pressure stated.
“For those who see any suspicious exercise or people please name 911. Updates to observe.”
A textual content despatched out by Lewiston Public Colleges urged anybody close to or at the college for conferences to get in a protected place.
”We’re going into lockdown. I’ll present extra data as it’s out there and applicable,” the alert learn.
A whole lot of cops are looking for Robert Card, an individual of curiosity in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, that killed and injured a number of individuals. pic.twitter.com/2WdTigbewY
— The Related Press (@AP) October 26, 2023
How many individuals have been shot?
The quantity of individuals shot was not instantly clear, although the Central Maine Medical Middle stated it was responding to a “mass casualty” occasion. Later, officers stated the loss of life toll rose to 22.
“Central Maine Medical Middle is reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter occasion. Right now there are not any specifics to share on the quantity of casualties,” the hospital wrote in an internet assertion.
“Central Maine Healthcare is coordinating with space hospitals to take in sufferers.”
NBC Information stated that at the very least 22 individuals had been killed.
ABC Information reported that 16 individuals had been killed, with dozens extra injured. The outlet cited legislation enforcement sources who’ve been briefed on the shooting.
CNN sources stated that there had been 16 fatalities and that between 50 and 60 individuals had been wounded.
How is Lewiston coping with the tragedy?
Native colleges have introduced they may cancel courses on Thursday.
“There stays quite a bit of unknowns right now. Info strikes shortly however not at all times precisely. Please proceed to shelter in place or get to security. We’ll proceed to replace you with data and subsequent steps as applicable,” Lewiston Public Colleges stated.
“Keep near your family members. Embrace them. Our prayers exit to those that misplaced somebody tonight. Our prayers exit to all these working to cease additional loss of life.”
City workplaces in Lisbon, which neighbours Lewiston, will even be closed on Thursday, it was reported.
