Mass Shooting in Maine Leaves 22 Dead, Dozens Injured
At least 22 people were tragically killed and dozens more were injured in a horrifying mass shooting spree that took place in Maine on Wednesday evening. This devastating incident marks the deadliest attack on US soil in four years, making it a particularly harrowing event for the nation. State police in Lewiston, the second-largest city in Maine, have confirmed that an active shooter targeted a restaurant and a bowling alley, leaving behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak.
The reports from various sources, citing information from police sources, reveal that the death toll stands at 22, while approximately 60 individuals have been wounded. These numbers make it the deadliest shooting incident since the tragic Walmart shooting in El Paso, Texas, in August 2019, where the same number of people lost their lives. As the search for the shooter intensifies, a large-scale manhunt involving hundreds of police officers is currently underway to apprehend the suspect who is still at large.
The police have released a photograph of the suspect, a 40-year-old man named Robert Card, who is described as armed and dangerous. The image shows a dark-haired, bearded individual carrying what appears to be a semi-automatic rifle. It is imperative to provide any information that may assist the authorities in identifying and locating this individual. Interestingly, the suspect, Mr. Card, is reported to be a trained firearms instructor at a US Army Reserve facility in Maine and had been committed to a mental health facility earlier this year after exhibiting concerning behavior, such as hearing voices and expressing a desire to carry out a shooting at a military training base in Saco, Maine.
President Joe Biden was immediately briefed on the situation and has been in contact with the governor, senators, and congressman of Maine. The gravity of this incident cannot be understated, as it has caused widespread panic and fear among the locals. The shooting took place at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, both located in Lewiston, which is a small city in the northeastern part of the state.
The Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston has issued a statement in response to the mass shooting, noting that they are grappling with a mass casualty, mass shooter event and working closely with other hospitals to provide necessary medical attention to the victims. As the investigation continues and the situation unfolds, it is of the utmost importance for residents to stay indoors and remain vigilant, as the active shooter is still at large.
Lewiston Police have provided an image of the suspect’s vehicle, a white Subaru Outback 4×4, which was found abandoned near a boat dock in Lisbon, around seven miles away from the crime scene. However, Mr. Card was not found inside the vehicle. The authorities are urging the public to report any information they may have regarding Mr. Card’s whereabouts.
Testimonies from witnesses paint a horrifying picture of the events that unfolded. Justin Juray, the owner of the bowling alley, revealed that around 100 to 150 people, including 20 children, were present in the building when the shooting occurred. The mother of an 11-year-old girl who was bowling at the time recounted hearing multiple gunshots and described the ensuing chaos and fear as her family sought shelter. Melinda Small, the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill, quickly took action to ensure the safety of her customers and employees upon hearing about the shooting at the nearby bowling alley.
The community of Lewiston is in a state of shock and mourning as they grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event. Local authorities have issued alerts and updates, urging individuals to avoid the affected area and follow instructions given by law enforcement. Businesses in the area have been advised to implement lockdown measures and cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the escalating gun violence problem in the United States. The number of shootings involving four or more victims has dramatically increased since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Data from the Gun Violence Archive indicates that there were 647 such shootings in 2022, and an estimated 679 are projected to occur in 2023, based on current trends. The Las Vegas massacre in 2017 remains the deadliest mass shooting in US history, with 58 fatalities.
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