Mass shooting in Maine: Here's what we know so far

The police have advised people to stay inside their homes and have asked local businesses to lock down as the suspect remains at large.

Over 18 people were killed and about 13 were injured in separate incidents of mass shooting in Maine's Lewiston city on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports.

This handout image released on October 25, 2023 by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office via Facebook shows the armed suspect in a shooting as law enforcement in Androscoggin County investigate two active shooter events" in Lewiston, Maine. (AFP)

According to ABC News, the shooting spree took place at a bowling alley, a local bar and a Walmart distribution center in the city. The shooter remains at large. Follow Maine shooting LIVE updates here.

Lewiston is part of Androscoggin County and is about 56 km north of Maine's largest city, Portland.

Here's what else we know about the shooting incident in Maine.

• According to the The Sun Journal, a local Maine newspaper, emergency services were informed about an active shooter at the bowling alley at around 7.15 pm (local time).
• Shortly reports were circulated online about another similar incident at a local bar on nearby Lincoln Street. After an hour, a shooting was reported at the Walmart Distribution Center on Alfred A Plourde Parkway, according to The Independant.
• The Lewiston Police Department has identified 40-year-old Robert Card “as a person of interest” in connection with the shootings. The police warned that Card should be “considered armed and dangerous.”

A man identified as a suspect by police points what appears to be a semiautomatic rifle, in Lewiston, Maine, US, on October 25. (Reuters)

• Earlier, the police had released two photographs of the suspect pointing what appeared to be a semiautomatic rifle.
• The police has also advised people to stay inside their homes and have asked local businesses to lock down or close as the suspect remains at large.
• While initial media reports have put the death toll at 16, some media reports claim that at least 22 people have been killed.
• Two law officials, on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the death toll is expected to rise. They said that investigators were still processing the crime scenes and working to gather evidence.
• US President Joe Biden and Maine Governor have been briefed on the incident.
• In a statement, the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston said it was "reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event" and coordinating with area hospitals to take patients.
• Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said he is “heartbroken for our city and our people” and urged residents to follow recommended guidelines.