AT least 22 people have been killed and dozens more injured following a spate of shootings across Maine.
Cops have launched an urgent manhunt for Robert Card, 40, who has been identified as a person of interest in two shootings in Lewiston, a city located about 35 miles north of Portland.
The shootings happened at a bowling alley and a restaurant.
As many as 22 people were killed and 50-60 people wounded in the attacks on Wednesday night, NBC News reported.
Cops have not yet given an update on the number of victims but warned that the person of interest Card is armed and dangerous.
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"Law enforcement is attempting to locate Robert Card 4/4/1983, as a person of interest regarding the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation this evening," the Lewiston Police Department wrote on Facebook.
"Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts."
As of 10:30 pm local time, residents in Lewiston and nearby Auburn were being told to shelter in place.
Police also told residents in nearby Lisbon to stay indoors after a car believed to have been driven by the suspect was found in the town, Mike Sauschuck from the Maine Department of Safety said at a press conference.
"We have hundreds of police officers working around Maine," he said.
"Mr. Card is a person of interest and a person of interest only at this stage. I'm not listing him as a suspect at this point."
Sauschuck declined to provide the number of dead and injured.
"This is a very fluid situation," he said.
"I don't have formal numbers on that. When I do I will be happy to share those with you."
Sauschuck wasn't able to confirm whether police were looking for a second shooter.
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He also noted that Card is dangerous and shouldn't be approached.
MILITARY BACKGROUND
Maine State Police gave more background about the person of interest in a statement.
"Card is a trained firearms instructor believed to be in the Army reserve stationed out of Saco, ME," the agency wrote, according to the Associated Press.
"Card recently reported mental health issues including hearing voices and (threatened) to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco.
"He was also reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for 2 weeks in the summer of 2023."
The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released a photo of the person of interest, who is wearing a brown jacket, blue pants, and tan shoes. He has brown hair and a beard.
"Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders access to the hospitals," the Lewiston Police Department said in a Facebook post.
The gunfire began at around 7:15 pm at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, The Sun Journal reported.
A youth event was scheduled there on Wednesday night.
There was another shooting at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant.
The shooter was spotted at a Walmart Distribution Center around 8:15 pm, but didn't fire his weapon there.
"This shooting did not occur on Walmart property," company spokesperson Joe Pennington said.
Lewiston Public Schools sent out a message urging those participating in parent-teacher conferences to shelter in place.
"We are going into lockdown," Superintendent Jake Langlais said in the text.
"I will provide more information as it is available and appropriate."
CITY IN CHAOS
Medical professionals could be seen sprinting into the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, reporter Terry Stackhouse said in a clip posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"I’m seeing a few life flights in out of Lewiston, back and forth on flight radar," one person tweeted.
Armed officers could also be seen entering and clearing the building around 11:30 pm.
Some families desperately waited outside the medical center for answers.
"My ex-husband and my son were playing pool at Schemengees," one woman told NBC affiliate WCSH. She learned about the shooting on social media but has found out very little since.
"We’re all waiting, and we’ve heard nothing," the woman said.
Reporters stationed at the hospital were told to hide at one point, as the shooter was believed to possibly be nearby.
"Right now us members of the media are holding in a place behind a wall in front of the hospital while an armed security guard is posted on the sidewalk above us," a news photographer tweeted.
Melinda Small, the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill near the bowling alley, told The Associated Press that she was at work with 25 customers when the gunfire began.
"I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe," she told the outlet.
"My heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb."
Maine Governor Janet Mills released a statement about the shooting.
"I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston," she said in a tweet.
"I urge all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement. I will to continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials."
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Attorney General Merrick Harland have all been briefed about the situation.
Mutual aid has been called in from as far away as New Hampshire.
On social media, many people thanked law enforcement for their response.
"Praying for everyone in harms way and positive thoughts to the brave men and women who are trying to take the shooter down," one Facebook user commented below the picture of the person of interest.
"I am heartbroken for the residents of Lewiston," an X user said.
"The time has long since passed for change. When will enough be enough? This senseless violence can't continue."
The Lewiston Police Department, the Lewiston Fire Department, Maine State Police, and the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department didn't immediately respond to The U.S. Sun's requests for comment.
