LEWISTON, Maine (TND) — Authorities converge at the home of Maine massacre suspect accused of killing 18 people and wounding 13 others in Maine.
This story is developing. Here's the latest information on the investigation.
Just after 11:30 p.m., Commissioner for the Maine Department of Public Safety Mike Sauschuck addressed the media.
Sauschuck said at approximately 6:56 p.m., there were two shooting incidents across Lewiston with "multiple casualties." Sauschuck declined to answer questions concerning the number of victims at this time.
I don't have a firm number. It doesn't help family members," Sauschuck said.Card was identified as the person of interest Wednesday night, but officials referred to Card as a murder suspect.
Card is from Bowdoin, Maine. Lewiston Police Department shared a photo of Card, stating that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
According to the Associated Press, a state police bulletin shared with law enforcement officials describes Card as a firearms instructor trained at a U.S. Army Reserve training facility in Maine. The document says Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023 but did not provide specific details about his treatment or condition, the AP says.
The AP reports the document also said Card had reported hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco.
At this time, Sauschuck said the shelter-in-place in Lewiston remains in place. He also shared that there is a shelter-in-place in Lisbon after a vehicle of interest was found in the area. Sauschuck shared that hundreds of officers working across the state of Maine to investigate this incident.
A reunification center was set up at Auburn Middle School after shootings in Lewiston, state police said. Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque spoke about the state of Maine and the support following the shootings.
If you're not from Maine you won't understand it, but when someone is in need, everybody comes," Levesque said.Levesque said it is an "all hands on deck" situation and that you can train for this, but you can never be completely prepared. He said he has received phone calls from across the country and is focused on healing inside of the community. He also described the scene inside of the reunification center.
"Relief, it's really relief. If you think about it, this is a happier place right now," Levesque said. "Witnesses saw traumatic events, are coming together with their family and loved ones who are worried to death about them."
On the flip side, Levesque said they are seeing the turmoil this event has caused, and the sheer trauma of the witnesses. When asked about those at the reunification center who had a moment of realization there loved ones were not there, he said yes, but that he would leave it at that.
Maine State Police responded to the scene and a shelter-in-place was issued for the entire city just before 7 p.m.
According to WGME, investigators responded to two locations. The Lewiston Police Department confirmed the two locations are Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson told a local paper that 14-16 were killed at the bar.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office posted pictures from Sparetime Recreation that show a man, now identified as person of interest Robert Card, with an AR-style weapon.
Lewiston Police later shared additional photos of Card and an image of a vehicle of interest, which Sauschuck confirmed was found in Lisbon.
On its website, Central Maine Medical Center said staff were “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event” and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients.
The American Red Cross is working closely with hospital partners in Maine to provide more than 120 blood products in response to mass shootings, WGME reports. Due to the incident, the Red Cross Blood Center in Auburn is currently under lockdown.
Just after 1 a.m. Thursday, WGME spoke with Lori-Suzanne Dell, who is sheltering in place inside of her home. Dell spoke about her experience, as well as a helicopter seen circling the Lisbon and Lewiston area for hours now.
A longtime resident spoke with WGME about the scene unfolding in Lewiston on Wednesday night, describing the situation as overwhelming.
The FBI Boston Division released a statement saying in part: "The FBI Boston Division continues to coordinate with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Maine and we stand ready to assist with any available resources they need."
Maine Gov. Janet Mills has issued a statement about the shooting.
“I am aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston. 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.”
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline also shared his thoughts on the evolving situation.
Lewiston is currently under a shelter-in-place order, and it is critical to prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you. Please follow all recommended guidelines and stay home. We will continue to monitor this situation and State Police will provide updates. 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."Lewiston's Superintendent Jake Langlais shared on X that schools will be closed Thursday.
The White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and spoke individually with Mills, multiple Maine Senators, and a Congressman about the shooting.
Biden has promised full federal support in the wake of the tragedy to those individuals, the White House shared.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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