At least 22 people dead and ‘person of interest’ sought after shootings in Lewiston, Maine, officials say
(CNN) — At least 22 people are dead and dozens are injured following two shootings Wednesday night at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, and an intensive manhunt is underway for a person of interest in the shootings, officials say.
Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, is a person of interest and should be considered armed and dangerous, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said.
Law enforcement officials in Maine tell CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve. Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine, and also reported mental health issues, including hearing voices, the officials said.
During a news conference Wednesday night, Sauschuck declined to provide further information about Card. “We’re not prepared to go into (Card’s) background,” he said.
At least 22 people were killed, Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN, citing a city administrator.
The shootings occurred around 7 p.m. ET, Sauschuck said. Lewiston police reported active shooting incidents at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way, and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street.
“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate,” the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook Wednesday evening.
The sheriff’s office released images of a “suspect for identification.” The person can be seen holding a high-powered assault-style rifle.
Residents of Lewiston and the neighboring town of Lisbon are under shelter in place orders, Sauschuck said. (Does “shelter in place” need to be hyphenated?)
A “vehicle of interest” was found in Lisbon, the commissioner said. Earlier, Lewiston police said they were searching for a vehicle and posted an image of what appeared to be a small, white SUV with a front bumper believed to be painted black. Maine State Police confirmed to CNN the image is of the suspect’s car.
Lewiston is about 36 miles north of Portland and is the state’s second-largest city.
“Please stay inside your home with the doors locked,” state police said in a post on Facebook. “If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911.”
A city spokesperson originally told the Sun Journal newspaper that another shooting was reported at a Walmart distribution center, but a company spokesperson told CNN none of Walmart’s facilities was involved in the incidents.
Officials in the nearby city of Auburn also “strongly urged” residents to shelter in place due to the ongoing active shooter situation, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Auburn is less than 2 miles west from Lewiston.
In a statement, the FBI said its Boston division is coordinating with law enforcement partners in Maine and stands “ready to assist with any available resources,” and urged the public to remain vigilant.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday night she has been briefed on the situation.
“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,” the governor said on Facebook.
CNN’s Jamiel Lynch, Josh Campbell, Christina Maxouris and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
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