At least 18 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and an additional 13 have been wounded following a horrifying incident at a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday evening, as stated by Maine Governor Janet Mills. The shooting, which is now marked as one of the deadliest in recent years, resulted in the gunman evading capture, leaving law enforcement engaged in an extensive manhunt. To ensure the safety of the local communities, shelter-in-place orders remain in effect while hundreds of police officers continue their search for the suspect.
The shooting unfolded during a youth night at the bowling alley, creating a frantic and distressing scene. Witnesses shared their accounts of people hiding behind benches and tables, and even seeking refuge inside the bowling pin machine. Meghan Hutchinson, a mother who was present at the time, recounted her terrifying experience, stating, “When I turned around, I saw the shooter. I couldn’t determine if it was a warning shot or if someone had been hit.” She described how they all rushed towards the swinging doors situated between the lanes, leading to the back area, while she and another parent barricaded themselves inside a room and dialed emergency services.
During the chaos, a 10-year-old girl named Zoey Levesque was grazed by a bullet, leaving her in complete shock. “It’s just like, shocking,” she expressed. “I never imagined growing up and having a bullet in my leg. Why do people commit such heinous acts? At that moment, my main concern was whether I would emerge alive from this place. I wondered if the police would arrive in time to rescue us.”
The suspected shooter has been identified by Lewiston police as Robert Card, who is currently still on the loose. Sources reveal that Card has a history of military service and a previous mental health episode, which led to a two-week stay at a mental health facility after issuing threats about carrying out a shooting at a National Guard facility. Authorities have located Card’s white Subaru in Lisbon, Maine, but the manhunt remains ongoing.
Witnesses recalled their terrifying encounters at the bowling alley. Riley Dumont, who took cover with her family, described how her father, a retired police officer, swiftly guided them into a corner and utilized tables and a large bench as a protective shield. “I was lying on top of my daughter, and my mother was protecting me,” Dumont revealed. She added that it felt like an eternity and vividly remembers the sounds of people sobbing and crying.
Brandon, another witness, shared his experience of hearing a loud noise, initially mistaking it for a balloon. He turned around and was startled to discover a gunman with a weapon. Reacting swiftly, he ran down the lane and sought refuge atop the bowling machine, where he remained for approximately 10 minutes until law enforcement arrived.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, this tragic incident stands as the deadliest mass shooting of the year. In contrast, Maine recorded just 29 homicides throughout the entirety of last year, emphasizing the severity and rarity of such violence in the state.
As the manhunt continues, local residents are understandably anxious and are taking precautions by staying indoors, locking their doors, and ensuring their safety. One Lewiston resident, Tracey Blaisdell, expressed the impact of the incident on the community, saying, “This situation is particularly challenging for a close-knit community like ours. The unease and uncertainty will persist until this situation is resolved.”
This report contains contributions from Jolie Lash and Jon Haworth of ABC News.
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