Police are still searching for a person of interest in what they’re calling a mass casualty incident in the city of Lewiston, Maine. Officials say at least 20 people have died and dozens more injured in this latest mass shooting.
Law enforcement identified 40-year-old Robert Card as a “person of interest” and they’re saying he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Police responded to at least two locations in the state’s second-largest city.
“There are multiple scenes in the city, to include multiple hospitals. A lot of witnesses we are speaking with,” said Mike Sauschuck, with Maine Department of Public Safety.
Authorities say Card has a history of military services, is a firearms instructor and was treated at a mental-health facility over the summer after allegedly saying that he was hearing voices.
“If people see him, they should not approach card or not make contact with him in any way,” Sauschuck urged.
The first call came in around 7 p.m. from a bowling alley that was hosting a “youth night” for a kids’ bowling league.
One witness said she heard a loud bang before her father — a retired cop — corralled her and her family into a corner.
“I was laying on top of my daughter. My mother was laying on top of me,” said Riley Dumont.
Dumont was bowling with her 11-year-old daughter when she heard several shots. During the chaos, she said she saw three or four bodies on the ground.
The second shooting scene was at a local restaurant about four miles from the bowling alley.
Card is now on the run, triggering a shelter-in-place order in Lewiston, as well as in neighboring Lisbon, Maine, where police say they found a white Suburu that is believed to be owned by the Card. The car was seen with the door open and lights on.
Sources say hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement are assisting in this active investigation. Police as far south as New Hampshire are setting up roadblocks in an effort to confine Card in case he’s on the run.
Authorities have also released surveillance images showing the gunman at one of the shooting locations.
President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have been briefed. The White House released a statement offering, “full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack.”
Lewiston is a relatively small city of 36,000 people, which experts say could be an advantage to investigators.
“I think it really increases the odds that someone knows who this shooter is because you’re gonna probably have survivors at each location, I presume, so with that, you can start tracking this guy,” Garrett said.
Authorities have not revealed a motive. Maine Governo Janet Mills released a statement urging all people in the area to follow the directions of state and local law enforcement. Lisbon schools have also been cancelled for Thursday.
