LEWISTON, ME – A massive manhunt is currently underway in Lewiston, Maine, following a tragic shooting spree that claimed the lives of at least 22 people and left more than 50 injured. Authorities are actively searching for the suspected shooter, Robert Card, a 40-year-old Army Reserve firearms instructor, who had previously been sectioned for mental health concerns earlier this summer.
The horrifying incident occurred at multiple locations, including a bowling alley, a restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center. Card, armed with an AR-15-style rifle equipped with laser optics, initiated his rampage at approximately 7:15 pm when he entered the bowling alley.
Maine State Police have identified Card as a ‘person of interest’ in these shootings and are urging extreme caution as he is considered “armed and dangerous.” Despite locating his 2013 white Subaru in Lisbon, about seven miles southeast of Lewiston, Card remains at large.
The devastating event has left the community in shock and prompted immediate action from law enforcement. A shelter-in-place order has been issued for Lisbon, and the nearby city of Auburn has also advised residents to stay indoors.
The death toll from this mass shooting, the largest recorded this year, has raised concerns and prompted a declaration of a mass casualty event by Maine’s hospitals. The victims were spread across various locations, including Sparetime bowling alley, Schemengee’s bar and grill, and the Walmart distribution center. Details about the victims and the precise sequence of events remain limited at this time.
As authorities intensify efforts to identify and locate the suspect, the community has come together to support one another during this harrowing ordeal. Schools and businesses have been affected, with Bates College, a local liberal arts college, also placed on lockdown.
Maine Governor Janet Mills has been briefed on the situation and urged residents to follow the guidance of law enforcement. The tragedy has reignited discussions about gun ownership and gun laws in Maine, where firearm ownership is relatively high compared to other states.
This devastating incident has left a tight-knit community in mourning, with condolences pouring in from across the country. As the investigation continues, the city of Lewiston and its residents grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.