Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

A gunman remains at large after a devastating shooting rampage in Lewiston, Maine, leaving 18 dead and many injured As authorities intensify their manhunt, the community reels from the horrifying attack at a bar and a bowling alley

Eighteen individuals have tragically lost their lives, while another thirteen have been injured, during a horrifying shooting spree that took place at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston. These distressing events were confirmed by Maines governor on Thursday. As a result, a frantic manhunt is currently underway for a US Army Reservist who is now wanted on murder charges. The severity of the situation has led to the closure of schools and a strict advisory for residents to remain indoors.

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

The Lewiston Police Department identified Robert Card as a "person of interest" in the shootings.

Lewiston Police Department

Suspect Robert Card, 40, has an arrest warrant issued for him, according to Maine State Police Col. William Ross during a news conference on Thursday. Officials have alerted that he is "armed and dangerous."

Law enforcement officials in Maine informed CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves. They also disclosed that he recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine. Additionally, officials noted that Card has reported mental health problems, such as hearing voices.

Gov. Janet Mills expressed her sorrow during the news conference, stating, "Today is a somber day for Maine. It is difficult for us to begin the healing process while our hearts remain shattered."

On Thursday, residents in the vicinity were startled to find law enforcement officers armed with long guns conducting thorough searches in their neighborhoods.

Cory, a resident of Lisbon, Maine, expressed his increased anxiety as he observed the woods while stating, "My nerves are on edge right now - constantly monitoring the area." He found solace in the presence of police officers near his home, remarking, "Their presence brings me immense relief."

Reflecting on the circumstances, Cory shared with CNN, "During times like these, I can't help but wish I had a firearm."

Anyone who sees Card should not approach him "or make contact with him in any way," Maines Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck said late Wednesday.

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The rampage has resulted in the highest death toll of any mass shooting in the United States in 2023, with a total of 18 fatalities. This tragic event adds to the alarming number of 565 similar incidents reported throughout the country this year, where four or more individuals were shot excluding the shooter, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Ross of Maine State Police has issued an arrest warrant for Card, charging him with eight counts of murder. Currently, ten victims remain unidentified. As these individuals are identified, the total count is likely to increase to 18, as stated by Ross.

Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy retracted his statement made on CNN, where he initially claimed a "confirmed" death toll of 22. He later referred to it as "unconfirmed."

"This situation feels incredibly unreal," McCarthy expressed. "When you witness such incidents on the news, you never expect them to occur in your own community. It's truly mind-boggling."

More about Lewiston

Second most populous city in Maine

Population: 38,493 (2022)

Median household income: $48,069 (2021)

Demographics: 83.4% White, 7.3% Black

By Thursday morning, the entire Lisbon Police Departure had been called in to hunt for the shooter and make sure businesses are closed, Chief Ryan McGee said.

"This is currently a lively situation in Lisbon," he informed the reporters.

Hannaford Supermarkets, a prominent grocery chain in the Northeast, has announced the closure of all its Maine stores until at least 10 a.m., according to the company. Moreover, officials have stated that public schools in Lewiston and Portland - the largest school district in the state with approximately 6,500 students - will remain closed.

Residents of Bowdoin, Maine were warned early Thursday that the shelter-in-place directive and school closures also applied to their town. The Maine State Police announced that while over 100 investigators, including local and federal authorities, worked to find Robert Card, a person of interest in the Lewiston shootings, it was crucial for people to remain indoors. "To ensure the safety of our community," McGee stated, "it is imperative that if anyone observes anything suspicious, they should stay indoors, refrain from approaching, and promptly contact the police department, just as was done in this case. Reporting any information is the right course of action."

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

A woman is hugged by a man at a reunification center at Auburn Middle School, in Auburn, Maine, after shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

Derek Davis/AP

Heres a timeline of the mass shootings in Maine and the manhunt for a suspect

The rampage began around 7 p.m., prompting a lockdown in Lewiston as law enforcement scoured the area for the shooter. Photos shared by the Lewiston police showed a man entering a bowling alley with a powerful assault rifle.

According to the Lewiston Police, the active shooting incidents occurred at Just-in-Time Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way, and approximately 4 miles away at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street. Initially, authorities referred to the bowling alley with its previous name, Sparetime Recreation.

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

Police are seen Thursday at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, where a mass shooting occurred Wednesday.

Police vehicles rushed to the scene of Just-in-Time Recreation as individuals frantically fled, as seen in a CNN-obtained video by Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images. An ambulance can be observed in another video, capturing the moment a person was placed on a stretcher outside the bowling alley.

Central Maine Medical Center was "reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event," and coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients, it said.

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

Police activity near the scene of a reported shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, October 25.

WGME

At least 16 individuals have been reported dead in a mass shooting incident in Lewiston, Maine, with authorities currently searching for a person of interest. Multiple locations within the city, including several hospitals, are being investigated. Numerous witnesses have been interviewed, and various leads are being pursued. Police Chief Sauschuck commended the public's high level of cooperation and willingness to provide essential information.

A "vehicle of interest" was discovered in the town of Lisbon, 8 miles away from Lewiston, on Wednesday night. As a result, shelter-in-place orders were implemented for the area, according to Sauschuck. Previously, Lewiston police had shared a picture of a small, white SUV with a front bumper that appeared to be painted black. Maine State Police has verified that the image is indeed of the suspect's vehicle.

President Joe Biden has expressed his condolences and provided extensive federal assistance in response to the devastating attack during a phone call with Maine lawmakers, as stated by the White House.

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline expressed his profound sorrow for the city and its residents, highlighting the resilience and determination of Lewiston, which will be vital in the upcoming days.

"Last night, these two locations were both gathering places for families," said Shanna Cox, President of the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, on Thursday while the community anxiously awaited updates on the victims of the shooting. "There was a family league activity taking place at the bowling alley. The profound impact this incident has had on so many here is undeniable."

Mayor Jason Levesque of Auburn, Maine, shared on "CNN This Morning" that he personally lost friends in the shooting. He also mentioned that a teenager who attended school with his son was injured but is expected to make a full recovery.

"There will be only a handful of individuals within this community who haven't been impacted by this," he mentioned. "This will stay with me throughout my entire life, and articulating the depth of its significance is incredibly challenging for me."

According to Levesque, the reunification center in his town, located less than 2 miles west of Lewiston, was attended by counselors, local religious leaders, and representatives from the state police.

"The other individuals I knew, who were present either as witnesses or family members of witnesses, experienced obvious trauma," Levesque stated. "A glimmer of hope appeared when some were finally reunited with their cherished ones after an agonizing period of uncertainty. However, on the flip side, those who were patiently waiting, it seemed highly unlikely that they would ever experience the joy of reunification."

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

Law enforcement officials load into a tactical vehicle at Lisbon High School at daybreak Thursday as a manhunt continues for a person of interest.

Jessica Rinaldi/Boston Globe/Getty Images

"Lewiston holds a special place," the governor remarked. "It is a tightly-knit community with a rich history of diligence, resilience, faith, and embracing people from all walks of life. This city did not deserve the horrific attack on its residents, their peace of mind, and their feeling of safety. No city, no state, no people should ever experience such a tragedy."

"My heart is shattered. I am speechless. In an instant, your entire world turns upside down without any justifiable cause," expressed Schemengees in a Facebook post. "We have lost exceptional individuals within this community. How can we make any sense of this? My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected."

Just-In-Time Recreation expressed deep sorrow and mourning for the community and staff, emphasizing the loss of incredible individuals who were an integral part of the bowling family and community. In a heartfelt statement on Facebook, they acknowledged that there are no words that can alleviate or improve the situation.

Lewiston Public Schools urged people to remain close to their loved ones and shower them with affection, recognizing the profound impact of the tragic events. They extended their prayers to those who suffered a loss that evening, as well as to all those tirelessly striving to prevent any more loss of life.

People ran out of bowling alley

The shooting injected fear into Lewiston, the states second-largest city, with about 38,000 people, about 36 miles north of Portland.

In the past decade, approximately 40 million Americans resided within a one-mile radius of a mass shooting.

As Nichoel Wyman Arel was returning home with her daughter after attending a Girl Scout meeting, she noticed flashing police lights, ambulances, and people hastily running near the bowling alley. Speaking to CNN's Laura Coates, Arel recounted seeing at least one individual drenched in blood.

Arel and her daughter witnessed officers frisking individuals as they exited the bowling alley, she recounted.

"There were children. In retrospect, the most difficult aspect was witnessing families, families streaming out of there," Arel expressed. "And realizing that such a dreadful incident occurred while they were simply trying to enjoy a family night."

Upon arriving home, Arel ensured that all the windows and doors of her house were securely locked, as she expressed her daughter's fear of an intruder entering their residence. McCarthy, the city councilor, emphasized the proximity of her house, situated a mere half a mile away from the incident, making the occurrence all the more unsettling.

"I reside on a cul-de-sac with a serene forest situated right behind my humble abode. In response to the recent incident, we ensured that all entrances were securely sealed. We promptly retrieved our firearms and anxiously awaited news of the apprehension of the responsible parties."

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

Law enforcement officers stand with rifles outside Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday.

Steven Senne/AP

Auburn officials also advised residents to stay indoors because of the ongoing active shooter situation, as mentioned in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Levesque emphasized that even with training, one can never be fully ready, stating, "It is a situation where every available person must be involved."

Timeline: The attack and the manhunt

• Around 7 p.m.: Multiple casualties are reported in Lewiston due to two shootings, as stated by Sauschuck.• 8 p.m.: Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office is currently investigating two active shooter incidents, releasing photos of the armed person of interest. The agency advises all businesses to lock down or close during the investigation.• 8:09 p.m.: Maine State Police informs the public about an ongoing active shooter situation in Lewiston, urging everyone to remain indoors and secure their doors. The agency mentions that law enforcement is investigating multiple locations.• 8:26 p.m.: The City of Auburn, a neighboring city, urges all residents to take shelter in place.• 8:53 p.m.: The shooting locations are identified by Lewiston police as Schemengees and Sparetime Recreation.• 9:17 p.m.: Lewiston police release an image of a white vehicle, which is the car belonging to the person of interest. They ask members of the public to contact them if they spot the vehicle, as informed by Maine State Police to CNN.

Manhunt underway as 18 killed in Maine shooting spree, suspect sought

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's office released an image believed to be the person of interest.

Androscoggin County Sheriff's office

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• At 10:18 p.m., Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy informs CNN that the number of fatalities has reached 22.

• At 10:52 p.m., the police identify Robert Card as a "person of interest" in the mass shooting and share his photograph on social media.

• Around 11:30 p.m., during a press conference, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck reveals that a "vehicle of interest" has been discovered in Lisbon, but the person of interest is still on the loose.

• At 11:34 p.m., Lisbon officials announce the closure of all town offices on Thursday and advise residents to continue seeking shelter.

The FBI office in Boston is prepared to aid local authorities in responding to the mass shooting. In a statement, the FBI Boston Division stated that they are actively collaborating with law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal levels in Maine. They are fully prepared to provide any necessary resources, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support, and victim assistance.

The Boston office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is among the agencies involved in responding to the shooting incident, as stated in a post from the agency.

Note: The updated story now includes uncertainty regarding the number of deaths.

CNNs Jamiel Lynch, Josh Campbell, Chris Boyette and Joe Sutton contributed to this report.