In a horrifying and tragic incident, Lewiston, Maine, is reeling from a mass shooting that unfolded over two locations on a fateful Wednesday night. The incident has claimed the lives of at least 22 people, with around 30 others sustaining injuries, as reported by Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich, citing a law enforcement source.
Maine’s Public Safety Commissioner, Mike Sauschuck, addressed the media during a late-night news conference, where he conveyed that law enforcement is refraining from confirming an exact count of victims due to the evolving nature of the situation. The staggering death toll is particularly shocking for a state that, in the entirety of 2022, reported only 29 homicides.
As of now, the authorities have not disclosed the identity of a suspect; however, the Lewiston Police Department named 40-year-old Robert R. Card of Bowdoin, Maine, as a person of interest in the case. An internal bulletin from the Maine Information and Analysis Center, obtained by Fox News, indicates that Card is a firearms instructor and holds military experience.
A senior law enforcement source revealed that authorities are cognizant of Card’s potential access to a police scanner, which could provide him with real-time information about their actions. The FBI has swiftly deployed additional agents to the scene to aid local law enforcement, and SWAT teams are actively engaged in the manhunt. Card is believed to serve in the Army Reserve, stationed in Saco, Maine.
Residents and community members have been advised not to approach Card if seen, as he is considered “armed and dangerous.”
The Lewiston Police Department issued a statement on their Facebook page, urging the public to assist in locating Robert Card, born on April 4, 1983, in connection with the mass shooting that occurred at Schemengees Bar and Just in Time Bowling. The bowling alley was formerly known as Sparetime Recreation and has long been a prominent local establishment. This heart-wrenching event has shaken the tight-knit community of Lewiston and has garnered significant attention from law enforcement agencies, as the manhunt for the person of interest, Robert Card, intensifies. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this harrowing time.