Authorities in Lewiston, Maine have issued a manhunt alert and asked locals to take cover inside their houses.
In the midst of a manhunt for an armed suspect connected to at least two mass shooting episodes that apparently claimed dozens of lives in Maine’s second-most populous city on Wednesday night, Lewiston residents have been instructed to remain indoors.
Around 7 p.m. local time, the shooting rampage started at the Schemengees Bar and Grille and the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, a city of roughly 36,000 residents. Although the number of victims has not yet been formally confirmed by the authorities, media reports indicate that many people were shot and killed, and a nearby hospital has acknowledged that it was “responding to a mass casualty, mass shooter incident.”
Citing law enforcement officials, CNN said that at least 16 people had died and up to 60 more had been injured. NBC and Fox News claimed at least 22 casualties at the two locations, as well as a nearby Walmart store, while ABC News said at least 10 people were killed and “dozens more” injured.
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“Lewiston is home to an active shooter. We request that people stay indoors. Please lock your doors and remain inside your house. According to a post on X (previously Twitter), the Maine State Police, law enforcement is now conducting investigations at several sites.
The person who is thought to have been engaged in each incident is still on the loose. A white man with a long rifle was shown in many images issued by the authorities, dressed in black trousers and a brown top.
Two incidents involving active shooters are being looked into by Androscoggin County law enforcement. As we do our investigation, we are advising all businesses to either lock down or close,” the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office stated in a Facebook post.
Governor Janet Mills of Maine urged “all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local law enforcement,” stating that she was updated on the issue and that she is still in “close contact with public safety officials.”
According to a senior White House official, President Joe Biden was also informed about the shootings and “will continue to receive updates” on the situation.
