By Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald
LEWISTON, Maine — An arrest warrant was issued for a 40-year-old man who is needed in connection to a mass capturing in Maine on Wednesday that left 18 folks lifeless and legislation enforcement scouring the area in an enormous manhunt for a suspect nonetheless at-large.
Shelter-in-place orders, lockdowns, and college closings have been increasing throughout Maine Thursday as authorities looked for Robert Card, who they are saying is a suspect in shootings in Lewiston, the second-largest metropolis within the state of 1.3 million folks.
Lewiston “didn’t deserve this horrible assault on its residents, on its peace of thoughts,” mentioned Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who mentioned she spoke with President Joe Biden and a number of officers from his administration, together with U.S. Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
“No phrases can actually or absolutely measure the grief of Maine folks at this time. Our small state of simply 1.3 million folks has lengthy been often called one of many most secure states within the nation. This assault strikes on the very coronary heart of who we’re and the values we maintain expensive for this treasured place we name dwelling,” Mills mentioned at Metropolis Corridor. “… This can be a darkish day for Maine.”
An arrest warrant for eight counts of homicide was issued for Card, a quantity that may seemingly rise as extra of the deceased are recognized, mentioned Maine State Police Col. William Ross. A spokesperson for Maine Legal professional Basic Aaron Frey mentioned the arrest warrant was “impounded,” rendering it inaccessible to the general public.
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Regulation enforcement armed with lengthy rifles stand on the entrance to the emergency division entrance of Central Maine Medical Middle on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, after a mass capturing in Lewiston, Maine. (Chris Van Buskirk/Boston Herald)
The chaotic shootings unfolded shortly Wednesday, with state legislation enforcement officers describing a number of 911 calls solely minutes aside originating from Sparetime Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, two native institutions.
A 911 name reporting a male capturing at Sparetime Recreation was first obtained by an Auburn communications middle at 6:56 p.m. Wednesday, Ross mentioned.
A number of 911 calls then got here in round 7:08 p.m. that reported an lively shooter inside Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, Ross mentioned.
“A big legislation enforcement response from a number of surrounding businesses assisted the Lewiston Police Division in making an attempt to establish who this particular person was and what was taking place as you’ll be able to think about, this was a really quick paced, fast-paced very fluid scene, very harmful scene that these guys and women have been going into,” Ross mentioned.
Ross mentioned seven folks have been killed at Sparetime Recreation, one feminine and 6 males, from obvious gunshot wounds, Ross mentioned. Seven males inside Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant and one male outdoors the institution have been additionally killed, Ross mentioned.
Three individuals who have been transferred to close by hospitals later died, he mentioned.
Ross mentioned eight folks have been recognized, leaving 10 nonetheless unidentified, Ross mentioned.
“There may be an arrest warrant for eight counts of homicide for Mr. Card. And the rationale it’s eight counts, as a result of 10 folks haven’t but been recognized. As these persons are recognized, the counts will most likely go to the whole of 18. He must be thought of armed and harmful,” he mentioned.
As an enormous manhunt continued Wednesday for Card, Maine State Police mentioned they have been increasing a shelter-in-place advisory past preliminary orders for Lewiston and Libson to the city of Bowdoin, which is Card’s final recognized residence, in accordance with police.
“We’re increasing the shelter in place advisory and college closings to incorporate the city of Bowdoin. Please keep inside your properties whereas greater than 100 investigators, each native and federal work to find Robert Card who’s an individual of curiosity within the Lewiston capturing,” Maine State Police posted on social media.
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A Lewiston Police Division cruiser sits in entrance a closed highway on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, that results in Sparetime Recreation, one of many websites concerned in a mass capturing. (Chris Van Buskirk/Boston Herald)
Greater than 100 legislation enforcement have been concerned within the seek for Card however officers declined to supply any alleged motive for the shootings. A car that was later tied to Card was situated at a ship touchdown within the city of Lisbon, Ross mentioned.
A police bulletin circulated to legislation enforcement officers described Card as a firearms teacher believed to be within the Military Reserve and assigned to a coaching facility in Saco, Maine, the Related Press reported.
The doc mentioned 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 remedy or situation however mentioned Card had reported “listening to voices and threats to shoot up” the navy base.
Maine Public Security Division Commissioner Michael Sauschuck declined to supply any specifics on potential motive.
“That’s not a solution that we’re ready to provide at this time as a result of that results in motive. You’re speaking about behavioral well being points and the way that impacts the scenario. I’d count on you’ll hear again from us on that sooner or later,” Sauschuck mentioned. “… We don’t know his location and I’ll go away it at that.”
Many questions stay unanswered outdoors of motive, together with how the suspect may have had entry to a weapon and what particular firearm the particular person used.
A inexperienced armored truck and a number of SUVs have been seen touring north on I-95 early Thursday morning simply over 20 miles from Lewiston. A number of helicopters have been seen flying over Lewiston, most companies have been closed early within the morning, and streets have been comparatively empty.
Police additionally locked down rapid entry to each Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant and Sparetime Recreation.
Regulation enforcement armed with lengthy rifles have been in entrance of the Central Maine Medical Middle, which mentioned in a press release Wednesday that it was “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter occasion.”
Central Maine Well being Care Chief Medical Officer John Alexander mentioned the primary affected person arrived at 7:24 p.m. and over the subsequent 45 minutes, the hospital in Lewiston obtained 14 sufferers, eight have been admitted to the hospital. He declined to specify the age or gender of the folks.
5 of the eight sufferers of their care are in steady situation and three are in important situation, he mentioned.
“From Augusta to Portland, we had unimaginable help all through the evening and into at this time,” Alexander mentioned from Lewiston Metropolis Corridor. “We’ve had an outpouring of help and presents of help.”
Contributing: The Related Press
