At least ten people were killed in shootings in Lewiston, and police are looking for the perpetrator.
Three distinct shootings are being investigated by the Maine
State Police and other agencies, and the city is under lockdown. People in the
neighborhood are being urged to remain inside and lock their doors.
Lawson — According to preliminary police accounts, three different events in Lewiston on Wednesday night resulted in multiple gunshot victims.
After receiving a report of an active shooter at
approximately 7:15 p.m., police, fire, and rescue officials arrived at
Sparetime Recreation on Mollison Way. Reports of another gunshot at the Lincoln
Street Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant surfaced shortly after.
A second gunfire was reported at the Walmart
Distribution Center on Alfred A Plourde Parkway, Lewiston's public information
officer, Derrick St. Laurent, informed the Sun Journal at around 8:15 p.m. Conflicting death tolls are being reported by several media sources.While claiming that at least
16 people have died, CNN did not provide any credible sources. As of 9:30 p.m.,
no fatalities had been officially confirmed by the police, and the culprit or
suspects were still at large.
Robert Card, a 40-year-old man, was at least one potential suspect. He might be operating a
white Subaru Outback, according to the police.Just before 10 p.m., state police
were supposed to hold a press conference at Lewiston City Hall.On Facebook, the
Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office shared images of a suspect in the
Sparetime shooting.
On social media, Maine State Authorities
spokesperson Shannon Moss announced that authorities had set up a staging area
near City Hall.
In a statement, Governor Janet Mills stated she had been informed about the shootings and was
aware of them.
According to Mills' statement, "I urge
everyone in the area to follow the direction of state and local
enforcement." "I will keep a close eye on the situation and stay in
communication with public safety officials." Although Kathy Lebel, a co-owner of Schemengees,
was not present when the incident occurred, she was informed that someone had
entered the establishment and "started shooting." She claimed the
employees rushed out.
"Playing cornhole that night was just enjoyable. You're not anticipating that at all, is
that right. Lebel had been one of roughly twenty people outside Central Maine Medical Center at one time, attempting to find out more details about friends and family. A man mentioned
that he had a friend who was not returning his calls at Schemengees for
cornhole night.
A source informed a reporter for the Sun Journal
that there were between 14 and 16 people shot at Schemengees and that
casualties were being transported to nearby hospitals by United Ambulance.The
hospital's emergency entrance was guarded by armed guards.
As of 9:30 p.m., neither the number of victims nor the number that had been taken to nearby
hospitals were known. At CMMC, dozens of medical personnel and stretchers were
arranged in a line at the entrance to the emergency department.
There were unsettlingly few sounds in the city
just before nine o'clock at night as rumors about a potential fourth shooting
location spread. Dozens of sirens were flowing over the city only an hour
before.Shortly after eight o'clock at night, the city's emergency alert system
went off, warning residents to stay indoors and that there was an "active
shooter located in Lewiston."
Reports on social media state that requests for
mutual aid were made from as far away as New Hampshire to several local
municipalities.
Parent-teacher conferences continued into the evening on Wednesday, and Lewiston schools were
placed under lockdown.
Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais said, "Everyone, please get to a safe
place if you are at or near a school for conferences; we are going into
lockdowns." "I'll give you more details as soon as they become
accessible and suitable. For the time being, we must allow law enforcement to
carry out their duties.
Drivers of Auburn buses were dispatched to Great
Falls Plaza to move passengers from the Walmart Distribution Center.A Boston
hospital had requested that Central Maine Medical Center use a medical
helicopter. They were supposed to transport casualties to hospitals in the
Boston region by picking them up at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport.
A representative for Maine, Senator Angus King, gave a statement in response to what was
happening in Lewiston.
According to Matthew Felling, "Senator King is deeply sad for the people of Lewiston
and all those who are concerned about their family, friends, and
neighbors." "After the Senate's final vote is held tomorrow
afternoon, he will be returning straight home to Maine. He is receiving regular
updates and is awaiting additional details from local authorities."