Updated:
-22 confirmed deaths
-Shooter, Robert Card is a trained instructor and previously worked for the US Army Reserves
-Complained of mental issues and was treated in a facility before his release.

A man shot and killed at least 16 people at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday and then fled into the night, sparking a massive search by hundreds of officers while frightened residents stayed locked in their homes.

A police bulletin identified Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest in the attack that sent panicked bowlers scrambling behind pins when shots rang out around 7 p.m. Card was described as a firearms instructor believed to be in the Army Reserve and assigned to a training facility in Saco, Maine.

The document, circulated to law enforcement officials, said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023. It did not provide details about his treatment or condition but said Card had reported “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” the military base. A telephone number listed for Card in public records was not in service.

Lewiston Police said in an earlier Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) away.

One bowler, who identified himself only as Brandon, said he heard about 10 shots, thinking the first was a balloon popping.

“I had my back turned to the door. And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon — he was holding a weapon — I just booked it,” he told The Associated Press.

Brandon said he scrambled down the length of the alley, sliding into the pin area and climbing up to hide in the machinery. He was among a busload of survivors who were driven to a middle school in the neighboring city of Auburn to be reunited with family and friends.

“I was putting on my bowling shoes when when it started. I’ve been barefoot for five hours,” he said.

Melinda Small, the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill, said her staff immediately locked their doors and moved all 25 customers and employees away from the doors after a customer reported hearing about the shooting at the bowling alley less than a quarter-mile away. Soon, the police flooded the roadway and a police officer eventually escorted everyone out of the building.

“I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe,” Small said. “But the same time, my heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb.”

After the shooting, police, many armed with rifles, took up positions while the city descended into eerie quiet — punctuated by occasional sirens — as people hunkered down at home.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released two photos of the suspect on its Facebook page that showed the shooter walking into an establishment with a weapon raised to his shoulder.

Two law enforcement officials told The AP that at least 16 people were killed and the toll was expected to rise. However, Michael Sauschuck, commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety, declined to provide a specific estimate at a news conference, calling it a “fluid situation.”

The two law enforcement officials said dozens of people also had been wounded. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

On its website, Central Maine Medical Center said staff were “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event” and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients. The hospital was locked down and police, some armed with rifles, stood by the entrances.

Meanwhile, hospitals as far away as Portland, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) to the south, were on alert to potentially receive victims.

An order for residents and business owners to stay inside and off the streets of the city of 37,000 was extended Wednesday night from Lewiston to Lisbon, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) away, after a “vehicle of interest” was found there, authorities said.

Gov. Janet Mills released a statement echoing instructions for people to shelter. She said she had been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials.

President Joe Biden spoke by phone to Mills and the state’s Senate and House members, offering “full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack,” a White House statement said.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent, said he was “deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbors” and was monitoring the situation. King’s office said the senator would be headed directly home to Maine on the first flight possible.

Local schools will be closed Thursday and people should shelter in place or seek safety, Superintendent Jake Langlais said, adding: “Stay close to your loved ones. Embrace them.”


Wednesday’s death toll was staggering for a state that in 2022 had 29 homicides the entire year.

Maine doesn’t require permits to carry guns, and the state has a longstanding culture of gun ownership that is tied to its traditions of hunting and sport shooting.

Some recent attempts by gun control advocates to tighten the state’s gun laws have failed. Proposals to require background checks for private gun sales and create a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases failed earlier this year. Proposals that focused on school security and banning bump stocks failed in 2019.

State residents have also voted down some attempts to tighten gun laws in Maine. A proposal to require background checks for gun sales failed in a 2016 public vote.

SOURCE

Mental illness ko. With that devilish look on the face in the third image. Hell will be hot is all i can say !

Raising sniper at innocent civilians. This is the lowest of the lowest of all milotary officers in the entire hostory of human race.

All people who do such wirkdwide should be tried and judged immediately. When judgement is swift, future reoccurence of such will be limited.

Another one

President Tinubu as the President of Nigeria and ECOWAS Chairman should issue a travel advisory for Nigerians and other Africans who wish to travel to the US. He should also condemn in the strongest term this heinous act and offer sympathy to the victims

The US ambassador to Nigeria must be summoned to Aso Rock within the week to give detailed explanation on how their government intend to decisively deal with this issue and protect black lives.

Nigeria is the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation in the world. We should not be afraid to lead

The insecurity in US is underrated. Enough is Enough

Damn what is going on in the world

American terrorist

Na why I fear US be this o.

Guns everywhere.

Plus a lot of people battling mental issues and frustration. Abeg o.

This one stupid thing about living in the US.

Saner clime, they didn't see it coming.

They are more concerned about grabbing Palestine land for now.

They Sabi package their own atrocities wellla.

A mentally imbalance man would have shot himself first.

A mentally imbalance man did not miss a target , killing innocent souls just like that without missing target.
If it happens in another country, they would be the first to issue notice of how unsafe such country is.
But when it happens in their own county, it's a case of mentally imbalance man

For those Nigerians/ US wannabes, open your eyes,if not , the Americans / Europeans will continue to make use of your sense for you.
American wonder

They know what to do to curb this but they are shying away from it

Na them sabi

taylor88:
Make una no go kill person client ooo



I no know wetin dey worry una

muuumu. Make God help u.

They will never ever tag this guy a terrorist. They will use words like mass shooter or just shooter like say we no know the dictionary meaning of terrorism. They will avoid the word like a plague because as far as their mind control propaganda machine is concerned only Muslims and Arabs can be terrorists.


They use their narrative to brainwash most people. Check Hollywood movies from the 1920s the bad guys are either Arab or Russian or any Soviet ally. E get why. Like I said before, na America Devil dey stay.

If this have happened in Nigeria some foolish IPOB terrorists would be making reference to it to justifying their atrocities against innocent Igbos

Noted.

Some of these guys are completely SICK

taylor88:
Make una no go kill person client ooo



I no know wetin dey worry una

😁

Again!

In Nigeria, mad people roam the streets.
In US, you don't see them roaming the streets - some of them are mass shooters.

Otulented:
This one stupid thing about living in the US.

I swear, this kind thing fit be anybody.

Welcome to America 😂😂

For those black slaves that are saying that America is the best country to be, don't worry until your relations get killed by a crackhead that's when you will understand. 😂😂

Nowhere is safe afterall.

Your mental health is key to your well-being

Mad people full everywhere now adays

It's a common occurrence in the US. It is Pure Terrorism!

US can tag it whatever they wants out of protecting their already dented image.

This is TERRORISM

Na freedom of expression from childhood dey cause all this thing.

They will always blame it on mental health, but their upbringing makes them have weak mental resistance to adversity...

Talk say you get mental health issues take try nonsense for Nigeria. Your eyes go clear, the worst you can do is suicide, which is still bad

One of the disadvantages of living in the US