At least 22 people were dead in multiple shootings in Lewiston in US' Maine state on Wednesday night while another 50 to 60 people were injured, as per a CNN report. In a Facebook post, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office said the suspect still remains at large. The sheriff's office relased images of a "suspect for identification" wherein a person was seen holding a high-powered assault-style rifle.
Later, the Lewiston police said released photo of vehicle connected to the shootings. In a Facebook post, the police said they were looking for a vehicle with a front bumper painted black .
Androscoggin County Sheriff urged people "to lock down and or close" all businesses as it probed the matter.
“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate,” the sheriff’s office said earlier Wednesday evening. “Please stay inside your home with the doors locked,” state police said. “If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911.”
- The shootings took place at three separate places across the city, as per the Sun Journal newspaper with enforcement agencies first responding to a report of an active shooter at Sparetime Recreation on Mollison Way about 7:15 p.m (local time).
- Shortly after, reports came in that there was another shooting at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street and then another shooting incident was reported from Walmart Distribution Center on Alfred A Plourde Parkway, as per the Sun Journal report.
- According to CNN, President Joe Biden has been briefed about all what has happened so far, said the White House.
- "The President has been briefed on what is known so far about the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine and will continue to receive updates," said the White House in a statement.
- An FBI official told CNN that the agency has offered personnel and resources to local authorities to assist in the probe.
- The Maine police said they were attempting to locate Robert Card as a "person of interest" in connection with the incident.
- In a statement, the police said that the suspect is a trained firearms instructor who recently repotrted mental health issues.
- "According to law enforcement, CARD recently reported mental health issues to include hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, ME. CARD was also reported to have been committed to mental health facility for two weeks during summer 2023 and subsequently released," the statement added.