US: 22 Dead, Over 60 Injured in Mass Shooting

Lewiston, Maine – In a shocking and heartbreaking incident, a mass shooting has left at least 22 people dead and over 60 injured in the northeastern state of Maine. The horrifying spree of violence began around 7 pm (00:00 GMT) with a series of shootings that rocked the quiet town of Lewiston.

The first report of the shooting came from a bowling alley, where a children’s event was in progress, sending shockwaves through the community. Shortly after, another shooting occurred at a nearby bar and grill, followed by a third shooting at a Walmart Distribution Center shortly after 8 pm. Reports of a possible fourth shooting emerged around 9 pm, keeping the town on edge.

Law enforcement authorities urged residents to stay indoors and secure their doors as they mobilized a massive response. Lewiston, a town with a population of about 39,000, was inundated with law enforcement personnel. Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck stated in a news conference, “We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case and locate Mr. Robert Card, a person of interest.”

A photo of the person of interest, Robert Card, was released by the Lewiston Police Department on their Facebook page, along with a warning that Card should be considered armed and dangerous. The state police bulletin revealed that Card had a history of mental health problems, including hearing voices, and had spent two weeks in a mental health facility during the summer.

Images of a bearded man in a long-sleeved brown shirt and dark combat trousers brandishing an assault rifle were shared by the police, along with a picture of an abandoned white SUV with its doors open. The public was asked for any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.

As the situation unfolded, Maine state police took to social media, cautioning the public, “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.”

Central Maine Medical Center, responding to the crisis, described it as a “mass casualty, mass shooter event” on their website. They were coordinating with hospitals in the area to provide care for the injured.

The tragedy left the community in shock and disbelief. Kathy Lebel, the owner of Schemengees Bar & Grille, where one of the shootings occurred, shared her experience, saying, “It was just a fun night playing cornhole. It’s the last thing you’re expecting, right?” She wasn’t present during the attack, but her staff had to scramble for safety when the shooter entered the establishment.

If the death toll of 22 is confirmed, the Lewiston attack will stand as the deadliest mass shooting in the US since at least August 2019 when a gunman opened fire on shoppers at an El Paso Walmart, killing 23. This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing issue of mass shootings in the United States. In 2022 alone, there were 647 mass shootings, including the horrific attack on a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, where a teenage gunman claimed the lives of 19 young children and two adults, as documented by the Gun Violence Archive.