Topline
Between 16 and 22 people were killed and several others were wounded after a gunman opened fire at two locations in Lewiston, Maine on Wednesday, as police remain on the hunt for a 40-year-old man identified as the potential perpetrator of the worst mass shooting of 2023 so far.
In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified … [+]
Key Facts
According to various news outlets, 50 to 60 people were injured in the mass shooting.
The shootings took place across at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley located around four miles away.
Police have identified 40-year-old Robert Card as a person of interest who remains at large.
According to the Associated Press, Card worked as a firearms instructor at a U.S. Army reserve base in the state.
Authorities have urged people in Lewiston and the nearby city of Auburn to shelter in place.
The White House said President Joe Biden called several Maine lawmakers and Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) offering “full federal support” in response to the shooting.
Crucial Quote
In a statement on her website, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) wrote: “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 continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials.”
Big Number
565. That is the total number of mass shootings reported across the U.S. so far this year according to the Gun Violence Archive. This puts 2023 on track to be the second-worst year for mass shootings—just behind 2021—since the outlet started collecting this data in 2013.
Key Background
The exact death toll from the incident remains unknown at the moment with various outlets reporting different numbers citing law enforcement sources. According to AP, at least 16 people were killed in the shooting but CNN and NBC have reported that the number could be as high as 22. Maine Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Sauschuck refused to provide an exact death toll in a late-night press conference saying the situation was still “fluid” and he did not yet have a “firm number.” Regardless of the final number the toll is appears to be staggering for a state which reported a total of 29 homicides in 2022.
This is a developing story.