The tranquil town of Lewiston, Maine, was plunged into chaos and terror as a lone gunman unleashed a series of deadly attacks, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
The assailant, identified as Robert Card, is now at the center of a massive manhunt as authorities grapple with the aftermath of one of the deadliest shooting sprees in the state’s history.
The bloodshed commenced around 7pm (00:00GMT) with the initial assault striking a children’s event at a local bowling alley, shattering the peaceful evening. Within a short span, two more attacks ensued, one at a nearby bar and grill, and the other at a Walmart Distribution Center.
Alarming reports of a potential fourth shooting heightened the panic, amplifying the sense of fear and vulnerability among the city’s 39,000 residents.
City Councilor Robert McCarthy revealed that the death toll had tragically risen from 16 to a devastating 22, leaving families and the entire community reeling in disbelief and grief.
“My understanding is that they have a tentative identification … of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” McCarthy said.
Urgent pleas from law enforcement authorities urged citizens to remain indoors, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the imperative need for safety precautions.
A photograph of the suspect, Robert Card, circulated widely, depicting a bearded man clad in a long-sleeved brown shirt and dark combat trousers, wielding an assault rifle.
“CARD should be considered armed and dangerous,” they wrote, urging members of the public not to approach him or make contact.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case to locate Mr Card, who is a person of interest,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told a news conference.
Details from a state police bulletin outlined Card’s troubled history, shedding light on his past struggles with mental health issues, including reported auditory hallucinations. Notably, Card had received training as a firearms instructor at a US army reserve training center in Maine, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Amidst the intense manhunt, authorities also released an image of an abandoned white SUV with its doors ajar, seeking crucial information from the public to aid in the apprehension of the assailant.
“There is an active shooter in Lewiston,” Maine state police said on the social media platform X. “We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations.”
The search continues as law enforcement agencies mobilize all available resources in a determined effort to bring the perpetrator to justice and provide solace to the shattered community of Lewiston.
On its official website, Central Maine Medical Center stated that their personnel were responding to a situation involving a large number of casualties due to a mass shooting incident. They were also working with neighboring hospitals to accommodate the influx of patients.
According to a statement from the FBI field office in Boston, they are prepared to provide assistance for both the victims and the investigation.
Lewiston is situated approximately 56 kilometers (35 miles) to the north of Portland, which is the largest city in Maine.
The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the recent shootings. He personally spoke with Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, as well as Congressman Jared Golden, offering complete federal support following the incident.
This incident in Lewiston marks the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since at least August 2019, when a gunman used an AK-47 rifle to open fire on shoppers at an El Paso Walmart, resulting in 23 fatalities, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive.
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In the year 2022, there were 647 instances of mass shootings, defined as attacks leading to the deaths of at least four people. This included the tragic incident at a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, where a teenage gunman killed 19 young children and two adults.
Based on data from the archive up to July, it is projected that there will be approximately 679 mass shootings this year.
In the midst of the ongoing gun violence, President Biden has consistently advocated for reforms in gun laws. He has urged Republican legislators to collaborate with him in proposing “common sense reforms,” such as a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and an end to legal immunity for gun manufacturers.
