Mass shooting in Maine: at least 16 killed and intensive manhunt underway

On October 25, at least 16 people were killed after a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and restaurant in the city of Lewiston, Maine, according to local law enforcement.

At the time of publishing, the shooter was still at large. Local residents have been instructed to shelter in place as the police conduct their manhunt in Lewiston, a city with roughly 37,000 residents, nearly 30 miles north of Portland.

The police have named Robert Card, age 40, as the person of interest concerning the shootings that occurred at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation. Police say he should be considered "armed and dangerous."

NBC News reported that a bulletin released on a database for law enforcement officials by the Maine Information and Analysis Center said, "Card was a trained firearms instructor and was believed to be in the Army Reserve."

Photo: Lewiston Maine Police Department

Furthermore, the bulletin indicated that the suspected shooter had
"recently reported mental health issues to include hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, ME."

At this time, the authorities have not confirmed a death toll. However, CNN spoke to multiple law officers and reported that the number of deaths is as high as 22 but so far there are at least 16.

In addition to information about the person of interest, Maine State police have also shared a picture of the vehicle they are looking for. According to CNN, police are searching for "a small white SUV with a front bumper believed to be painted black."

Photo: Lewiston Maine Police Department

In addition to those who lost their lives to this senseless act of violence, at least 50 individuals were injured. According to sources who spoke to NBC News, not all of the injured were shot. Some sustained injuries from a stampede as people rushed to flee the area of the shootings.

According to Lewiston police, officers were called in to respond to two shootings on the evening of October 25. The shootings took place at two locations, Schemengees restaurant and Sparetime Recreation bowling alley.

Photo: Instagram@eatpool

The Mayor of Lewiston, Carl Sheline said in a statement, "I am heartbroken for our city and our people. Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come."

Photo: Instagram@carlsheline

ABC News spoke to Riley Dumont, a mother who was enjoying some quality time with her family at the bowling alley. Dumont told the news outlet her 11-year-old daughter was participating in a children's bowling league activity when she was shocked to hear gunshots.

Photo: Facebook@sparetimerecreationlewiston

Riley Dumont told ABC News her father, who is an ex-cop, got the family together in a corner to protect each other. "I was laying on top of my daughter," she said. "My mother was laying on top of me." Dumont claims she saw three or four shooting victims nearby.

Jeremy Janes spoke to NBC News about the shooting. Janes told the news outlet he was working at a foundry located close to Schemengees bar when he and his co-workers heard gunshots.

Janes told NBC, "Immediately we locked down, and closed our doors and we closed the shop." One of Janes' colleagues said that his son, aged 21 was shot at the bar and, fortunately, was fairing well. "We're hoping and praying that everyone's OK, and he's OK," Janes told the news station.

The BBC spoke to Billie Jayne Cooke, a politician running for city council in Lewiston, who said she never imagined something like this could happen in her city, "The whole city's on lockdown. It's horrible. You just don't think that's ever going to happen and it did."

The police have assured the public that they will continue their search until they have detained the shooter. In the meantime, local residents wait in fear, locked in their homes, praying for the victims.

Photo: Instagram@officiallewistonme