A large manhunt is underway for a gunman who opened fire at a Lewiston, Maine, bar and bowling alley on Wednesday evening in the US an action the police has described as a mass shootings.
The suspect has not been identified, but a man called a “person of interest” — Robert R. Card, 40, of Bowdoin — was being sought after the shootings shortly before 7 p.m., authorities said.
“Card is considered armed and dangerous,” Maine State Police said in a notice. “If seen people should not approach Card or contact with him.”
The number of victims remained unclear from officials on the record. Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said late Wednesday that there were “multiple casualties” but did not specify a number, nbcnews.com reports.
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The number of people believed to be killed in the shootings is 15 to 20, and as many as 50 may be injured, according to law enforcement sources.
Lewiston police said there were mass shootings at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation. Sparetime is a bowling alley.
Photos released by law enforcement as they search for a suspect showed a man with a hooded sweatshirt and a black rifle with what appeared to be a scope.
President Joe Biden and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland were following developments.
Biden in phone calls to Maine’s governor and members of Congress pledged the full support of the federal government.
A vehicle that had been sought in the wake of the shootings was found in Lisbon, a town around 7 miles southeast of Lewiston. Residents in Lewiston, nearby Auburn and Lisbon were told to shelter in place and keep their doors locked Wednesday.
Maine is in the northeastern part of the U.S. state. It is known for its rocky coastline, maritime history and nature areas like the granite and spruce islands of Acadia National Park.
