Police are searching for a suspected gunman after at least 22 people were killed and dozens injured in two shootings that rocked Maine.
Robert Card, 40, has been named a person of interest after a shooting broke out at a bowling alley and billiards in Lewiston Wednesday night.
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Police are searching for Robert Card, 40, in connection with a mass shooting Wednesday night in Maine Credit: AP: Associated Press
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He was named a person of interest hours after officers released photos of the gunman suspected of killing at least 22 people Credit: Facebook/Lewiston Maine Police Department
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The chilling photos show the shooter pointing his long gun inside the bowling alleyCredit: AFP
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People were seen running from the scene after shots were fired. Credit: Reuters
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Armed with an AR-15-style rifle with a laser sight, the gruesome photos show the assailant, dressed in a brown T-shirt and jeans, stalking a bowling alley full of children.
Police said Card is still at large and should be considered armed and dangerous.
Lewiston police spokesman Mike Sauschuck warned, “If people see him, they should not approach him in any way.”
Scott Sweetow, a former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent, described the gunman’s weapon.
He told NBC affiliate WCAU, “It’s got optics on it, some sort of scope.
“It also has a flashlight in the front, some kind of tactical light. It also has some kind of cartridges.
“Looks like the three-bullet cartridges are taped together. It’s equipped to kill people.”
Hundreds of police officers are currently searching for him in Lewiston and surrounding areas.
What we know so far:
- At least 22 people died and dozens were injured
- The search for the attacker is ongoing
- The suspected attacker had previously been in a mental health facility for some time
- The deadliest shooting to hit the US this year
- Witnesses spoke of the horror that happened
Card is a firearms instructor at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Maine, according to officers.
He also spent two weeks in a mental health facility this summer.
He reported hearing voices and threatening to commit a shooting at an Army training base in Saco, Maine, according to the AP.
Card is a University of Maine alumnus who studied at the institution between 2001 and 2004, but it is unclear when he graduated, a university representative told NBC News.
The person of interest was believed to be driving a white 2013 Subaru Outback, which was later found eight miles from the scene of the shooting, in nearby Lisbon.
Police officers stormed the area, knocked on the doors of homes and helicopters inspected the scene.
TWO PLACES TARGETED
At least 22 people were killed in the shooting, said Lewiston, Maine Councilman Robert McCarthy.
About 60 more are believed to have been injured.
The shoot was held at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar and Grille.
Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson said at least seven people were killed at the bowling alley.
The Lewiston Sun Journal reported that there were between 14 and 16 victims inside the bar.
Jessica Karcher told The Washington Post that her son Justin was shot four times at Schemengees Bar and Grille.
The shooting is set to be the deadliest to hit the US in four years.
Maine recorded 29 homicides in 2022 alone, according to crime statistics.
Around 19:00 local time, the attacker targeted the bowling alley where an event for young people was being held.
Nichole Wyman Arel, who was passing by the bowling alley, said she saw a large number of children leaving the hall, writes CNN.
She told the local that people were “rubbing” as they left the bowling alley.
Arel said, “Yeah, there were kids, that’s – Like, looking back, like that was probably the hardest part, seeing – just the families, the families walking out of there and knowing that it happened there while they were probably just trying to have a family night.”
Mom Arel said her daughter was with her when she walked past the bowling alley and discovered the boy had started crying.
The parent revealed that she had locked her home when she got home, including the windows.
She said her daughter was “scared” someone was going to break into their home.
Riley Dumont said her daughter, 11, was bowling when she heard the shots.
She told ABC News: “I was laying on top of my daughter. My mother was laying on top of me.”
Another witness, known as Brandon, told the newspaper: “I thought it was a balloon.
“I had my back to the door, as soon as I turned around and saw that it wasn’t a balloon, he was holding a weapon.
“I just tumbled down the track and I actually slid down to where the pins were and climbed up to the machine and was on top of the machines for about 10 minutes until the police arrived.”
Bill Jayne Cooke told the BBC she heard “one siren after another”.
She said: “I have never heard so much activity in this city in my life. We have police from all over the state, out of state, coming in.”
Kathy Lebel, owner of Schemengees Bar & Grille, told The Sun Journal, “It was just a fun night playing cornhole. That’s the last thing you expect, right?
“I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare.”
Shots were said to have been fired at a third location, a Walmart distribution center, but a spokesman said there was no shooting at the facility.
‘STATE OF SHOCK’
The shooting and the ensuing chase shook Lewiston, a city of 37,000 about 55 miles north of Portland.
Melinda Small, owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill near the bowling alley, told The Associated Press that 25 customers were in her bar when the shooting began.
“I’m honestly in a state of shock. I’m blessed that my team reacted quickly and everyone is safe,” she told the newspaper.
“I’m heartbroken for this area and what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb.”
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the cities of Lewiston, Auburn and Lisbon as the search for the killer continues.
Residents are urged to stay inside, lock their doors and avoid being on the roads to protect them from police.
“Please stay off the roads to allow emergency services access to hospitals,” the officers said.
A reunification center has been established at Auburn High School.
They urged the locals to be careful and stay in their homes.
Schools in Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city, will be closed Thursday.
Police were seen searching near Lisbon High School as part of their investigation.
All city offices in Lisbon will be closed Thursday, officials said.
Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque described the shooting as an “absolute tragedy.”
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Attorney General Merrick Garland were notified of the shooting.
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Police swarm pool hall in town of 37,000 Credit: AP
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The sheriff’s office quickly shared photos of the attackers after the attackCredit: AFP
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Police were also looking for a white Subaru after the shooting, but said it was found in a nearby town Credit: Facebook/Lewiston Maine Police
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The suspect was seen on surveillance video brandishing a long rifle Credit: Facebook/Lewiston Maine Police Department
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