Hundreds of police officers are currently deployed across the US state of Maine in the search for a man suspected of being involved in the shootings that occurred at a bar and a bowling alley in the city of Lewiston. News agencies reported fatalities ranging from 16 to 22, with many others injured.
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Law enforcement authorities have not released specific numbers of victims related to the attacks that took place on Wednesday, October 25. However, both state police and local police identified 40-year-old Robert R. Card as a person of interest in the case. Card was reportedly admitted to a mental health facility over the summer, authorities reported.
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Mike Sauschuck, Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner, said during a press conference that a large police contingent is involved in the investigation and attempt to locate Card. Police located a white SUV believed to have been driven by Card to the city of Lisbon, which is approximately seven miles southeast of Lewiston. As a precautionary measure, authorities have asked residents to remain indoors in both Lewiston and Lisbon.
Multiple media outlets have reported that a Maine police bulletin identified Robert Card as a trained firearms instructor and member of the U.S. Army Reserve. The bulletin also highlighted that he had recently reported mental health issues, including allegations of hearing voices and threats to a National Guard base. Additionally, the bulletin mentioned that Card had been admitted to a mental health facility for two weeks during the summer of 2023 and later released. Reuters was unable to confirm the bulletin’s authenticity, but the Associated Press reported that the document was distributed to law enforcement authorities.