“Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting – Police Zero in on Person of Interest”

“Lewiston, Maine Mass Shooting – Police Zero in on Person of Interest”

In a recent and unsettling turn of events, the Lewiston, Maine police department has successfully identified a person of interest connected to a series of mass shootings that occurred Wednesday night.

Taking to social media, the department issued a public warning regarding Robert Card, urging the community to exercise extreme caution as he is considered “armed and dangerous.” They further implored citizens to contact law enforcement immediately if they possess any information about his whereabouts. Accompanying the post was a photograph resembling Card’s driver’s license picture, aligning with the individual seen in earlier surveillance footage brandishing a long firearm, as released by the authorities.

Given the gravity of the situation, a shelter-in-place order remains in effect for Androscoggin County, Maine, as law enforcement intensively searches for the suspect responsible for the tragic events of Wednesday.

Previously, the Lewiston Police Department had advised residents to remain indoors with their doors securely locked, citing an ongoing “manhunt in the area” as the reason for the precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston has declared a state of emergency in response to a “mass casualty, mass shooter event” and is actively collaborating with neighboring hospitals to accommodate incoming patients. While specific casualty figures have not been disclosed, the hospital is striving to manage the crisis.

Lewiston police confirm that the manhunt is associated with shootings at least two locations, which include Schemengees Bar and Grille, and Sparetime Recreation, a local bowling alley.

Lewiston’s Mayor, Carl Sheline, expressed his deep sorrow in a statement, saying, “I am heartbroken for our city and our people. Lewiston is known for our strength and grit, and we will need both in the days to come.”

In response to the ongoing situation, the police department has requested that people stay off the roads to facilitate the work of emergency responders.

Maine Medical Center in Portland has activated on-call staff and expanded critical care and operating room capacity to anticipate potential patient transfers. In an emailed statement to local media, they confirmed their readiness to receive one patient transport from Central Maine Medical Center. Out of an abundance of caution and the evolving nature of the situation, both Maine Medical Center and other MaineHealth hospitals have closed their campuses to non-hospital personnel and non-patients until further notice.

The Superintendent of Lewiston Public Schools announced the cancellation of all classes for the following day. In a statement on the school system’s website, Superintendent Jake Langlais emphasized the ongoing uncertainty, urging everyone to continue sheltering in place or seek safety.

On the federal front, the White House reported that President Biden has been briefed on the tragic incident and has held conversations with various government officials in Maine, including Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, Susan Collins, and Rep. Jared Golden. The President has offered “full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack.”

Moreover, a Justice Department spokesperson noted, “The Attorney General has been briefed and will continue to closely monitor the situation. Federal law enforcement agencies are assisting our state and local law enforcement partners in Lewiston, Maine.”

This remains a developing story, and it’s important to exercise caution as some details reported by the media may later be corrected. We will focus on information provided by law enforcement officials, other credible authorities, and reporters on the scene, and will continue to update as the situation unfolds.