LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The person recognized as an individual of curiosity in a mass killing in Maine is a firearms teacher educated by the army and was not too long ago dedicated to a psychological well being facility, in line with a state police bulletin.
The police intelligence bulletin, reviewed by The Related Press, was being circulated to legislation enforcement officers on Wednesday night time after the shootings that left no less than 16 individuals useless.
The bulletin says the person, Robert Card, had been educated as a firearms teacher at a U.S. Military Reserve coaching facility in Maine. The doc says Card had been dedicated to a psychological well being facility for 2 weeks in the summertime of 2023. It didn’t present particular particulars about his remedy or situation.
The doc additionally stated Card had reported listening to voices and had threatened to hold out a capturing on the army coaching base in Saco, Maine.
Card was being sought by police as an individual of curiosity in Wednesday’s shootings. A phone quantity listed for Card in public information was not in service.
Lewiston Police confirmed in a Fb put up that Card was an individual of curiosity within the capturing and stated he must be thought-about armed and harmful.
The shootings at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday night time killed no less than 16 individuals and engulfed the state’s second-largest metropolis in chaos. The suspect remained at giant as authorities ordered residents and enterprise homeowners to remain inside and off the streets.
Two legislation enforcement officers informed The Related Press dozens of individuals additionally had been wounded. The officers weren’t approved to publicly focus on particulars of the continuing investigation and spoke to AP on situation of anonymity.
Lewiston Police stated in an earlier Fb put up that they have been coping with an lively shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) away. The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Workplace launched two pictures of the suspect on its Fb web page that confirmed a shooter strolling into an institution with a weapon raised to their shoulder.
“Please keep off the roads to permit emergency responders entry to the hospitals,” police stated.
On its web site, Central Maine Medical Heart stated workers have been “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter occasion” and have been coordinating with space hospitals to soak up sufferers. A girl who answered the cellphone within the emergency division stated no additional info could possibly be launched and that the hospital itself was on lockdown.
Melinda Small, the proprietor of Legends Sports activities Bar and Grill, stated her workers instantly locked their doorways and moved all 25 prospects and workers away from the doorways after a buyer reported listening to concerning the capturing on the bowling alley lower than a quarter-mile away round 7 p.m. Quickly, the police flooded the roadway and a police officer finally escorted everybody out of the constructing 4 at a time. Everybody within the bar is protected.
“I’m actually in a state of shock. I’m blessed that my workforce responded rapidly and everyone seems to be protected,” Small informed The Related Press. “However the identical time, my coronary heart is damaged for this space and for what everyone seems to be coping with. I simply really feel numb.”
The alert for Lewiston was made shortly after 8 p.m. because the sheriff’s workplace reported that legislation enforcement businesses have been investigating “two lively shooter occasions.” Officers issued an replace round 10 p.m. on their search.
“Keep away from the world till authorities give the all-clear,” the assertion stated. “Search various routes to avoid the world and any disruptions. If already working within the affected area, adhere to all directions issued by native officers, together with the shelter-in-place order.”
“We’re encouraging all companies to lock down and or shut whereas we examine,” the sheriff’s workplace reported.
A spokesperson for Maine Division of Public Security urged residents to remain of their properties with their doorways locked.
“Legislation enforcement is at present investigating at two areas proper now,” Shannon Moss stated. “Once more please keep off the streets and permit legislation enforcement to diffuse the scenario.”
Gov. Janet Mills launched a press release echoing these directions. She stated she has been briefed on the scenario and can stay in shut contact with public security officers.
President Joe Biden had spoken by cellphone to Mills and the state’s Congress members, providing “full federal assist within the wake of this horrific assault,” a White Home assertion stated.
Native faculties can be closed Thursday and other people ought to shelter in place or search security, Superintendent Jake Langlais stated, including: “Keep near your family members. Embrace them.”
Lewiston, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Portland, emerged as a significant heart for African immigration into Maine. The Somali inhabitants, which numbers within the hundreds, has modified the demographics of the as soon as overwhelmingly white mill metropolis into probably the most various in northern New England.
Ange Amores, a spokesperson for town of Lewiston, stated metropolis officers are usually not commenting on the capturing. Amores stated Maine State Police have been planning to carry a information convention, seemingly at metropolis corridor, to replace the general public on Wednesday night time.
Maine Sen. Angus King, an unbiased, stated he was “deeply unhappy for town of Lewiston and all these nervous about their household, associates and neighbors” and was monitoring the scenario. King’s workplace stated the senator can be headed straight dwelling to Maine on the primary flight potential.