Manhunt underway in Lewiston, Maine, after shootings leave at least 16 dead

The most recent.

• Police are still searching for a man who opened fire at multiple locations in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday.
• They call on people to stay away from the road, to stay at home with closed doors.
• Central Maine Medical Center says personnel are “responding to a mass casualty, mass shooting event” and coordinating with area hospitals to admit patients.

A man opened fire at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night, killing at least 16 people and throwing the state’s second-largest city into chaos.

The gunman remains at large, and authorities have ordered residents and business owners to stay off the streets in both Lewiston and Lisbon, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of where the vehicle of interest was found.

Two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that dozens of people were also injured. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Lewiston police said in a Facebook post earlier that they were dealing with an active shooter at both Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles away.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released two photos on social media showing a man with a gun slung over his shoulder into the facility.

Police are warning to stay off the roads

“Please stay off the roads to allow emergency personnel access to hospitals,” police said.

Central Maine Medical Center said on its website that staff are “responding to a mass casualty, mass shooting event” and coordinating with area hospitals to admit patients. The hospital was closed and the police, some armed with assault rifles, stood at the entrances. Meanwhile, hospitals as far away as Portland, about 56 kilometers to the south, were on alert to receive possible casualties.

Concerned citizens seeking information or missing relatives are encouraged to go to Auburn High School in the nearby Auburn community, where counselors will also be on hand. Local schools will be closed Thursday, officials said.

“This is a very fluid situation,” Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuk said in a media update.

He could not confirm the number of casualties, but said there were multiple casualties and more than one shooting.

Melinda Small, owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill, said her staff immediately locked their doors and removed all 25 customers and employees from the doors after a customer reported hearing gunshots at the bowling alley. kilometers away. 19:00 local time.

“My heart is broken for this area”

Police soon flooded the road, and a police officer eventually escorted everyone out of the building in four shifts. Everyone is safe in the bar.

“Honestly, I am in shock. I’m blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe,” Small told The Associated Press. “But at the same time, I’m heartbroken for this industry and what everybody’s dealing with, I just feel numb.”

WATCH |: The situation remains active after a shooting in Maine spurs a manhunt

Hundreds of police officers are currently searching for Robert Card, 40, who has been identified as a person of interest by officials who say he is a firearms instructor with military training. They believe he is armed and dangerous.

The Lewiston call came in shortly after 8 p.m. local time. Officials issued an update around 10 p.m. on what they described as a manhunt.

“Avoid the area until authorities give the all-clear,” the statement said. “Look for alternate routes to bypass the area and any disruptions. If already operating in an affected area, follow all instructions given by local officials, including shelter-in-place procedures.

“We are encouraging all businesses to close and or close while we investigate.”

Governor Janet Mills issued a statement reiterating those directives. He said he has been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials.

President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Mills and members of the state Congress, offering “full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack,” the White House said in a statement.

Wednesday’s death toll was staggering for a state that had 29 homicides for the entire year in 2022.

Lewiston is the second largest city in Maine. reports the website of the municipality. It is located about 50 kilometers from the state capital, Augusta.