At least 22 people were killed and over 50 were injured in separate incidents of mass shootings in US' Maine's Lewiston city on Wednesday evening, according to city officials.
City Councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN that the death toll has reached to 22 in the shooting at a bowling alley, a local bar and a Walmart distribution centre in the city.
"My understanding is that they have a tentative identification... of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured," McCarthy said.
Local police of Lewiston have released a picture of a man, identified as a person of interest in the massacre. The alleged accused, Robert Card, has been considered an "armed and dangerous" person by the police.
"Law Enforcement is attempting to locate Robert Card 4/4/1983, as a person of interest regarding the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation this evening. The suspect, Card should be considered armed and dangerous. Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts," the police notification read.
According to law enforcement, Card, 40, is a firearms instructor in the US Army Reserve who recently reported mental health issues including hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco. He was also reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks during Summer 2023 and subsequently released.
{{/usCountry}}According to law enforcement, Card, 40, is a firearms instructor in the US Army Reserve who recently reported mental health issues including hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco. He was also reported to have been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks during Summer 2023 and subsequently released.
{{/usCountry}}According to a report by Macra, Card has a history of arrests for domestic violence and other crimes.
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Earlier, the police released two photographs of a man wielding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle on Facebook Wednesday evening. The pictures showed a bearded man in a brown hoodie and jeans, holding the weapon in the firing position.
Police have asked the locals in Lewiston to stay inside their homes. "There is an active shooter in Lewiston. We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations," Maine State Police said on X (formerly Twitter).
The Lewiston police said they were dealing with an active shooter situation at two businesses.
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the latest updates on the mass shootings in Lewiston. The White House said that Biden spoke to Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, and Congressman Jared Golden about the shooting and offered full federal support in the wake of the horrific attack.
The mass shooting incident at Lewiston was reported after shots were fired at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston on Wednesday.
(With inputs from agencies)