A Maine man killed at least 22 people and injured dozens of others during a mass shooting Wednesday evening at both a restaurant and bowling alley in Lewiston.

The incident began sometime before 7:15 pm, according to the Sun Journal. By 8:53 pm, the Lewiston Maine Police Department had reported on Facebook that there was “an active shooter incident” in the town.

According to various reports, the gunman first entered the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and opened fire, killing a number of people.

The gunman then evidently left and traveled to Schemengees Bar and Grille, which is about four miles away and opened fire, killing more people.

One bowler at Sparetime Recreation, a guy named Brandon, told the Associated Press he heard 10 shots and thought the first one was a balloon popping.

“I had my back turned to the door. And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon — he was holding a weapon — I just booked it. I was putting on my bowling shoes when when it started. I’ve been barefoot for five hours,” he said.

Schemengees co-owner Kathy Lebel told the Sun Journal that it’d been “cornhole” night at the bar.

“It was just a fun night playing cornhole. … It’s the last thing you’re expecting, right? I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare,” she said.

As of Thursday morning, the shooter remained on the loose, though the police had identified a possible suspect whom they described as being “armed and dangerous.”

“A police bulletin identified Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest in the attack. … Card was described as a firearms instructor believed to be in the Army Reserve and assigned to a training facility in Saco, Maine,” according to the Associated Press.

“The document, circulated to law enforcement officials, said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023. It did not provide details about his treatment or condition but said Card had reported ‘hearing voices and threats to shoot up’ the military base. A telephone number listed for Card in public records was not in service,” the AP reported.

Local police did find Card’s car, a white Subaru Outback, abandoned in Lisbon, which is roughly eight miles away from Lewiston.

Shooter’s vehicle. White Subaru Outback! pic.twitter.com/XUQgRzlW9q

— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) October 26, 2023

The shooter in Lewiston was sent to a mental health facility in the summer

He threatened to shoot up a base

They released him pic.twitter.com/jM2gjXWX6L

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) October 26, 2023

Victims were reportedly taken to Central Maine Medical Center, which reported on its website that it was “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event” and coordinating with other hospitals to take care of the sudden influx of patients.

“Dozens of stretchers and medical staff were lined up at the Emergency Department entrance at CMMC,” the Sun Journal reported.

“As armed security stood outside the emergency entrance to the hospital, people waited to give their names to hospital staff as emergency contacts for those who may have already been brought in,” according to the Journal.

I’m here at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where the hospital confirmed they are responding to a mass casualty incident. No word on how many people they are treating or what the extent of their injuries are. Armed officers surround the hospital. @NBC10 @TND pic.twitter.com/JSsRoHElBH

— Gabrielle Caracciolo (@GabCaracciolo) October 26, 2023

Maine Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement that she’d been briefed about the shootings.

“I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston. 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,” she wrote on X.

President Joe Biden meanwhile reached out to Mills and Maine Sen. Angus King offering federal assistance if needed.

“Senator King expressed his deep appreciation to the President for the outreach and support. Given the horrific nature of the events in Maine, Senator King will now be headed to Maine on one of the first flights available — he wants to be home to support Lewiston in any way he can,” a spokesperson for King said in a statement.

Rep.  Jared Golden, a Democrat who reportedly lives in Lewiston, released his own statement expressing his horror at what occurred.

“Like all Mainers, I’m horrified by the events in Lewiston tonight. This is my hometown. Right now, all of us are looking to local law enforcement as they gain control of the situation and gather information. Our hearts break for those who are affected and we encourage everyone to follow the directions of the authorities as they conduct their work,” he said.

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Vivek Saxena

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Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.

V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.

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