At least 16 dead in Maine shooting as police hunt for ‘person of interest’ and residents shelter

A mass shooting occurred at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, resulting in at least 16 fatalities and dozens of injuries. The situation is ongoing, and residents have been ordered to shelter in place.

The police have identified Robert Card as the person of interest. He is trained as a firearms instructor and has a past history of mental health issues.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the incident. They have released photographs of the suspect and are coordinating efforts to apprehend the person of interest.

Central Maine Medical Center is treating it as a mass casualty event and is coordinating with other area hospitals to take in patients. Other hospitals, including those in Portland, have also been put on alert.

Residents and business owners have been ordered to stay inside and off the streets. A shelter-in-place order has been extended to nearby areas, and people are urged to lock their doors and stay off the streets to allow law enforcement to conduct their investigation.

Yes, President Joe Biden has spoken with Maine Governor Janet Mills and other state officials, offering full federal support in the wake of the attack.

The event has had a profound impact, throwing the state’s second-largest city into chaos. Local businesses have locked their doors, and residents are in a state of shock and fear.

The death toll is staggering given that the entire state of Maine had only 29 homicides in the year 2022.

Lewiston has emerged as a major center for African immigration into Maine, notably from Somalia, making it one of the most diverse cities in northern New England.

Local schools will be closed, and residents are advised to shelter in place or seek safety. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and are urging residents to remain cautious and vigilant.