Lewiston, Maine – In a horrifying incident that has left the nation in shock, mass shooting in Lewiston claims 22 lives , and dozens more have been injured in a series of shootings that unfolded in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday evening. The gunman responsible for this senseless violence remains at large, as authorities launch a massive manhunt to bring the perpetrator to justice.
The shootings occurred at multiple locations in the city, including a bowling alley, a local bar, and a Walmart distribution center. The exact number of casualties and injuries caused by gunfire is still unclear, but reports suggest that over 50 to 60 people have been injured.
Local law enforcement agencies have identified 40-year-old Robert Card as a “person of interest” in connection with the shootings. Authorities have issued a warning, urging the public to consider Card armed and dangerous. Efforts to locate and apprehend him are currently underway.
The shocking events prompted the Lewiston Police Department to issue a lockdown advisory to local businesses and residents. In a statement on Facebook, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office urged all businesses to secure their premises, emphasizing that the suspect remains at large. The Maine state police also issued warnings about an active shooter, urging residents to stay indoors and take safety precautions.
President Joe Biden, while attending a state dinner honoring Australia’s prime minister, made phone calls to Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, and Susan Collins, as well as Congressman Jared Golden, offering federal support in the wake of this tragic incident.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline expressed his grief for the city and its residents, calling for unity and strength during these trying times. “Lewiston is known for our strength and grit, and we will need both in the days to come,” Mayor Sheline stated.
This devastating event marks the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since May 2022, when a gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Texas, leaving 19 children and two teachers dead. Gun violence has surged in the U.S. since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with at least 647 incidents of shootings involving four or more victims reported in 2022, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in this tragic incident, the Lewiston community and the entire country await updates on the ongoing investigation, hoping for the swift apprehension of the gunman responsible for this heart-wrenching act of violence.