In the state of Maine, a man hunt is underway for the person of interest in a mass shooting. There are reports of atleast 22 people dead and dozens injured. Police says the man connected with this horrific rampage is still on the run. The shooting happened about 7:00 on Wednesday, in Lewiston, Maine, a city of about 37,000 people. It is located about 35 miles north of Portland. An hour later after the shooting authorities informed people to shelter indoors and lock doors.Authorities said they have identified Robert Card as a person of interest in the shooting. Card had been trained at a military facility as a firearm instructor and was recently committed to a mental facility. Police say he is considered armed and dangerous.
According to authorities the shooter first opened fire inside a bowling alley and recreation center where a children’s event was taking place. Then he moved on to a bar and grill about four miles away.
Maine Police say they have located what they believe to be the suspect’s vehicle in Lisbon.
Maine Senator Angus King said that he was deeply sad for the city and plans to fly from D.C. to Maine on the first flight. Possibly US President Joe Biden who was hosting a state dinner was briefed on the shooting. Biden told the governor of Maine Janet Mills, that they will be doing everything they can on the federal level to support.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case to locate Mr Card, who is a person of interest,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told a news conference.
The Lewiston attack is the deadliest mass shooting in the US since at least August 2019, when a gunman opened fire on shoppers at an El Paso Walmart with an AK-47 rifle, murdering 23, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
