LEWISTON, Maine — Maine authorities expanded a shelter-in-place advisory Thursday morning after a capturing left a number of folks lifeless and sparked a large manhunt for a 40-year-old man legislation enforcement recognized as an individual of curiosity in a mass capturing on Wednesday.
Maine state police stated they had been extending a shelter-in-place advisory in impact in Lewiston, the second-largest metropolis within the state, and Lisbon to Bowdoin, which they stated was the hometown of Robert Card, the individual of curiosity.
“We are expanding the shelter in place advisory and school closings to include the town of Bowdoin. Please stay inside your homes while more than 100 investigators, both local and federal work to locate Robert Card who is a person of interest in the Lewiston shooting,” Maine State Police posted on social media.
More than 100 legislation enforcement officers had been concerned within the seek for Card, who they tied to a mass capturing that left a minimum of 16 folks lifeless, in line with the Associated Press.
A press convention was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Lewiston City Hall.
“This morning at 10:30, I will join public safety officials at Lewiston City Hall to speak to Maine people about last night’s tragedy and the ongoing search for the person of interest. I urge Maine people to continue to follow the instructions of local law enforcement,” Maine Gov. Janet Mills stated on social media.
A chaotic scene erupted Wednesday night time when a number of shootings had been reported at Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant and Sparetime Recreation, the Lewiston Police Department stated.
Card is taken into account armed and harmful, Maine State Police stated.
“If seen, people should not approach Card or contact with him,” state police stated on social media.
Police stated they recovered a automobile related to Card in Lisbon Wednesday night time, prompting a shelter-in-place order for residents within the space. A reunification middle was established on the Auburn Middle School.
At a press convention Wednesday night time, Maine Public Safety Department Commissioner Michael Sauschuck stated at 6:56 p.m. a number of capturing incidents occurred with “multiple casualties” in Lewiston.
He recognized Card because the individual of curiosity and requested anybody with info that might assist find Card to name 911.
“There are multiple scenes in the city to include multiple hospitals, multiple follow ups, a lot of witnesses we’re speaking with a lot of leads. The general public has been very cooperative and very forthcoming with information,” he informed reporters.
A police bulletin circulated to legislation enforcement officers described Card as a firearms teacher believed to be within the Army Reserve and assigned to a coaching facility in Saco, Maine, the Associated Press reported.
The doc stated Card had been dedicated to a psychological well being facility for 2 weeks in the summertime of 2023. It didn’t present particulars about his therapy or situation however stated Card had reported “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” the army base, the outlet reported.
A phone quantity listed for Card in public data was not in service.
Sauschuck didn’t say how many individuals had been killed in Wednesday night time’s shootings, calling the state of affairs “fluid.”
A inexperienced armored truck and a number of SUVs had been seen touring north on I-95 early Thursday morning simply over 20 miles from Lewiston. Multiple helicopters had been seen flying over Lewiston, most companies had been closed early within the morning, and streets had been comparatively empty.
Police additionally locked down instant entry to each Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant and Sparetime Recreation.
Law enforcement armed with lengthy rifles had been in entrance of the Central Maine Medical Center, which stated in an announcement Wednesday that it was “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event.”
Mills was briefed on the state of affairs Wednesday.
“I urge all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement. I will to continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials,” she stated in an announcement on social media.
The FBI Boston Division stated it was coordinating with legislation enforcement in Maine.
“We stand ready to assist with any available resources they need, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support, as well as victim assistance,” the division stated in an announcement.
Gov. Maura Healey stated her “thoughts are with the victims’ families, survivors, and everyone across Maine and New England who’ll feel the weight of this senseless act of gun violence.”
“We’re holding our loved ones a little closer tonight, and praying for the safety of the people of Lewiston,” the Massachusetts Democrat stated in an announcement that additionally confirmed she was in contact with Gov. Mills and provided help.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”