Police named Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest after launching a manhunt for the shooter in the city about 35 miles north of Portland.
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NBC News and Jacqui Heinrich from Fox News reported that 22 people were killed and 50-60 people were injured in the horror attacks on Wednesday night.
Cops have not yet given an update on the number of victims, but warned person of interest Card is armed and dangerous.
“Law Enforcement is attempting to locate Robert Card 4/4/1983, as a person of interest regarding the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation this evening,” the Lewiston Police Department wrote on Facebook.
“Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts.”
As of 10:30 pm local time, residents in Lewiston and nearby Auburn were being told to shelter in place.
Police also told residents of nearby Lisbon to shelter in place after a vehicle of interest was found in the town, Mike Sauschuck from the Maine Department of Safety said at a press conference.
“We have hundreds of police officers working around Maine,” he said.
“Mr. Card is a person of interest and a person of interest only at this stage. I’m not listing him as a suspect at this point.”
Sauschuck also didn’t provide more definitive death and injury numbers.
“This is a very fluid situation,” he said.
“I don’t have formal numbers on that. When I do I will be happy to share those with you.”
Sauschuck didn’t confirm whether police are looking for a second shooter.
He also noted that Card is dangerous and shouldn’t be approached.
MILITARY BACKGROUD
Maine State Police gave more background about the person of interest in a statement.
“Card is a trained firearms instructor believed to be in the Army reserve stationed out of Saco, ME,” they said, a town about 50 miles south of Lewiston.
“Card recently reported mental health issues including hearing voices and (threatened) to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco.
“He was also reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for 2 weeks in the summer of 2023.”
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of the person of interest, who is wearing a brown jacket, blue pants, and tan shoes. He has brown hair and a beard.
Police also released a photo of a light-colored SUV the person of interest may be driving.
“It is believed that the front bumper may be painted black,” the Lewiston Police Department said.
Anyone with information about the alleged shooter is asked to send an email to [email protected] or call (513) 3001 ext. 3327.
“Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders access to the hospitals,” the Lewiston Police Department said in a Facebook post.
The gunfire began around 7:15 pm at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, The Sun Journal reported.
There was another shooting at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant.
The shooter was spotted at a Walmart Distribution Center around 8:15 pm, but didn’t fire his weapon there.
“This shooting did not occur on Walmart property,” company spokesperson Joe Pennington told Heinrich.
Lewiston Public Schools sent out a message urging those participating in parent-teacher conferences to shelter in place.
“We are going into lockdown,” Superintendent Jake Langlais said in the text.
“I will provide more information as it is available and appropriate.”
Medical professionals could be seen sprinting into the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, reporter Terry Stackhouse said in a clip posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I’m seeing a few life flights in out of Lewiston, back and forth on flight radar,” one person tweeted.
Meanwhile families desperately waited outside the medical center for answers.
“My ex-husband and my son were playing pool at Schemengees,” one woman told NBC affiliate WCSH. She learned about the shooting on social media but has learned very little since.
“We’re all waiting, and we’ve heard nothing,” the woman said.
Reporters stationed at the hospital were told to hide, as the shooter may be nearby.
“Right now us members of the media are holding in a place behind a wall in front of the hospital while an armed security guard is posted on the sidewalk above us,” a news photographer tweeted.
CITY IN CHAOS
Melinda Small, the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill near the bowling alley, told The Associated Press that she was at work with 25 customers when the gunfire began.
“I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe,” she told the outlet.
“My heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb.”
Maine Governor Janet Mills released a statement about the shooting.
“I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston,” she said in a tweet.
“I urge all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement. I will to continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials.”
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Attorney General Merrick Harland have all been briefed about the shooting.
Mutual aid has been called in from as far away as New Hampshire.
Members of the media have been asked to stage outside City Hall.
On social media, many people thanked law enforcement for their response.
“Praying for everyone in harms way and positive thoughts to the brave men and women who are trying to take the shooter down,” one Facebook user commented below the picture of the person of interest.
“I am heartbroken for the residents of Lewiston,” an X user said.
“The time has long since passed for change. When will enough be enough? This senseless violence can’t continue..”
The Lewiston Police Department, the Lewiston Fire Department, Maine State Police, and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department didn’t immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
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