Police have nonetheless shared few particulars in regards to the mass shootings that left as many as 20 individuals useless in Maine’s second-largest metropolis on Wednesday night time.
But it was clear that one thing devastating had hit Lewiston, within the hours after a shooter allegedly opened hearth within the Just In Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille.
It was the primary time a Maine neighborhood had skilled the type of extremely public mass taking pictures that makes nationwide information. That was clear from the massive public security response — adopted by the teams of journalists within the hours since.
Around 8 p.m., the interstate freeway resulting in Lewiston was stuffed with police cruisers and first responders racing to the scene — lights flashing, sirens screaming.
Downtown, the streets have been eerily quiet as residents largely heeded a lockdown warning, save for the occasional bicyclist or passerby.
“This is crazy,” mentioned resident Jess Paquette, who was out strolling her canine Henrietta. “This is just nuts.”
But the police presence was onerous to disregard over the subsequent few hours. For a time, officers flocked to a Walmart distribution heart that was the positioning of a suspected third taking pictures, however that web site was finally cleared.
Many different officers remained stationed all through town, guarding a hospital the place taking pictures victims had been taken and utilizing searchlights to examine the insides of automobiles.
State Police have recognized 40-year-old Robert R. Card II as an individual of curiosity within the shootings.
Officers have been additionally arrange on Route 196 within the neighboring city of Lisbon, turning away motorists in order that they might proceed looking after Card’s automobile was present in that space.
For a time, a helicopter was additionally circling overhead.
Back on the town, though issues have been quiet, there have been nonetheless clear indicators of the unfolding tragedy.
Loved ones of victims have been seen strolling out and in of Central Maine Medical Center, with law enforcement officials escorting some households to their automobiles.
One man requested a reporter for a cigarette, saying his son was shot and within the hospital. He declined to share extra info.
Across the river in Auburn, a center college was transformed to a web site for individuals to reunite with family members who witnessed the shootings. Small teams of individuals might be seen strolling out, wrapped in blankets and holding one another.
They declined interviews and stored going to their automobiles.
One man and girl stopped in entrance of their truck and hugged. When they bought within the automobile, a voice might be heard on the opposite finish of a speaker cellphone name.
“Hi mom,” the voice mentioned. “Are you OK?”
— Charles Eichacker / Bangor Daily News, Maine
BDN editor Michael Shepherd, reporter Billy Kobin, and photographers Troy R. Bennett and Linda Coan O’Kresik contributed to this report.
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