Editor/
A massive manhunt is underway in Maine for an Army reserve firearms instructor who was sectioned this summer for mental health reasons, and is suspected of shooting dead at least 22 people yesterday night at multiple sites in Lewiston.
Robert Card, 40, from Bowdoin, Maine, was named by Maine state police as the “person of interest” in the shootings at a bowling alley and restaurant.
He was previously sectioned after reporting that he was hearing voices, and had threatened to shoot up his National Guard base in Saco, Maine, according to the Maine Information and Analysis Center – a division of the Maine state police.
The shooting suspect was armed with an AR 15-style rifle with a laser optic when he burst into the bowling alley at 7:15pm to begin his rampage.
Eric Samson, sheriff of Androscoggin County, announced at 11:20pm that officers had found Card’s vehicle – a 2013 white Subaru – near the boat dock in Lisbon, about seven miles southeast of Lewiston. Card was not inside.
Mike Sauschuck, a law enforcement spokesperson in Lewiston, said Card ‘is considered armed and dangerous.’
“If people see him they should not approach him in any way,” he added.
Police were knocking on doors of homes in the local area, while helicopters remained in the area Wednesday night.
A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for Lewiston, and is also now in place in Lisbon, where his car was found.
Authorities have opened a reunification center at Auburn Middle School.
Armed police were searching anyone coming onto the grounds.
At least a dozen local officers surrounded the school, with volunteers taking emotional family members inside.
Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy said 22 people were dead, with 50-60 injured. Maine’s hospitals said they were declaring a mass casualty event. The death toll, which could yet rise, is the largest from a mass shooting this year.
Card’s sister-in-law told The Daily Beast they were in shock.
“I am with police right now and my children [are] terrified and shaken, so I do not have a comment on anything right now,” she said.
The two confirmed shooting locations were Sparetime bowling alley and Schemengee’s bar and grill.
Sheriff Eric Samson of Androscoggin County said at least seven people had been fatally shot at the bowling alley.
McCarthy said he had been told that a children’s party was taking place at Sparetime when the gunman opened fire. Nichoel Wyman Arel, who was passing by the site, told CNN‘s Laura Coates that she saw a large number of children pouring out of the bowling alley.
Justin Juray, an owner of Sparetime, described the scene as “total chaos.”
He said in a text message to The New York Times that there were about 100 to 150 people, including 20 children, at the bowling alley at the time of the shooting.
Joe Biden’s state dinner with the prime minister of Australia was interrupted to inform the president of the incidents.
Biden later rang the governor of Maine and both senators, and said the federal government was ready to assist in every way possible.
FBI operatives stationed in Boston said that the Bureau was ready to assist with the search.
“The FBI Boston Division continues to coordinate with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Maine and we stand ready to assist with any available resources they need, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support, as well as victim assistance,” the Bureau said.
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