At least 18 dead in Lewiston, Maine shootings as the search for suspect continues

Police are still searching for the man who single-handedly carried out a mass shooting in the city of Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday evening.

The identified shooter, 40-year-old Robert Card, began the attack at Just-in-Time Recreation (formerly known as Sparetime), a bowling alley, before travelling four miles to Schemengees Bar and Grille to continue shooting. According to most recent reports, at least 18 victims are dead as a result of the shooting, with another 13 injured and at least 60 total victims wounded from fleeing the scenes. It is not clear how many are in critical condition. Police have not shared details about the victims.

Robert Card, 40, remains at large as the suspect in the shootings, with an active arrest warrant and current search ongoing for the identified shooter. An alert was posted to the community Facebook page last night by officials urging residents of Lewiston and nearby Auburn to shelter in place until the suspect is found. As the manhunt continues, schools and businesses will remain closed.

Lewiston is Maine’s second-largest city, about 30 miles north of Portland. Today, the state’s 1.3 million residents are reeling from the attack, which is now The United States’ deadliest mass shooting this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

On Wednesday evening, the first 911 reached Auburn Communications Centre at 18:56, informing officials of a male shooting at Just-In-Time Recreation, according to William G. Ross with Maine State Police. The second call, and several others, came at 19:08 from inside Schemengees Bar and Grille regarding an “active shooter.”

Lewiston police began searching for the man carrying out the attacks, who was identified as a firearms instructor previously trained by the military. The suspect recently was committed to a mental health facility wherein he spent two weeks this summer, according to a state bulletin put out by the Maine Information and Analysis Center, a database for law enforcement officials.

“We’re actively searching for him,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck updated reporters today. “We don’t know his location and I’ll leave it at that.”

The bulletin explained Card had previously reported hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco, Maine. Card is a former longtime member of the Army Reserve, confirmed by the United States Army today; he was a petroleum supply specialist enlisted in December 2002, according to Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

Liam Kent, a local Lewiston resident, explained, “The family and Robert, they're all gun fanatics. For all intents and purposes, they are very much associated with right-wing militias. It's known in the town to stay away from them and not approach them."

Kent added that some of the victims were people he knew, but declined to identify anyone before officials proceed with making victims’ names public.

Upon arrival at the two scenes, police found 7 dead at the bowling alley, 8 at the bar and grille, and three more were later pronounced dead upon hospital arrival.

Most residents are still sheltering in place per a request from local police. Today, the only people on the street are police or fellow members of the media as the manhunt continues for Card.

Today, President Joe Biden issued a statement which reads, “As I told Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Collins and King, and Congressman Golden last night, I have directed my administration to provide everything that is needed to support the people of Maine. We will continue to be there every step of the way.”

Once again, our nation mourns after another senseless and tragic mass shooting.

Today, Jill and I pray for the Americans in Maine who’ve lost their lives, those in critical care, and the families, survivors, and community members enduring shock and grief.

Here's my statement: pic.twitter.com/7geRYwQ94k

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 26, 2023

He proceeded to call on Congress to pass a ban on the type of assault rifle used in the shooting. The president stated, “Today, in the wake of yet another tragedy, I urge Republican lawmakers in Congress to fulfil their duty to protect the American people. Work with us to pass a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to enact universal background checks, to require safe storage of guns, and end immunity from liability for gun manufacturers.”

"This is the very least we owe every American who will now bear the scars — physical and mental — of this latest attack,” he concluded.

According to data from the nonprofit activist group Everytown For Gun Safety, Maine is one of many states which does not require background checks on all gun sales and does not have "red flag" laws. “Red flag” laws are also known as extreme risk laws, and allow a judge to temporarily remove a person’s guns if evidence is found that the individual poses a threat based on a family or law enforcement report.

Maine residents have voted against attempts to tighten gun laws in the state, including a proposal to implement background checks for gun sales which failed in the 2016 public vote.

"We call on our elected officials tonight to stop bowing to the gun lobby and look squarely at the face of what has happened in Maine’s second largest city," the group stated today. "At a minimum, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition believes an assault weapons ban is necessary to try to prevent more such tragedies in our state."

Last night’s tragic shooting is now The United States’ 565th mass shooting of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive which defines a mass shooting as one of at least four victims shot and killed.

The shooting in Lewiston is now the deadliest of the year.