Police Search for Suspected Killer of 18 in Maine

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(TNS) – During a press conference Thursday morning, hours after a mass shooting killed over a dozen people at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine Gov. Janet Mills expressed sadness over the loss of lives and determination to hunt down the suspected shooter.

“I’m profoundly saddened to stand before you today to report 18 people have lost their lives and 13 people are in the hospital,” Mills said.

The shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) away, in Lewiston on Wednesday night killed at least 18 people.

Mills said she had been in contact with the Biden administration. She said the president expressed support and offered to help in hunting down the suspect and helping all impacted by Wednesday’s shooting. Biden will order flags across the country to be at half-staff for five days, Mills added.

“There are still many things we do not know about this attack, but the weight of my administration is behind law enforcement to catch this man,” Mills said.

Look, Lewiston is a special place,” Mills said. “Lewiston is where I worked for years, where I met my husband and raised our girls. I’m so deeply saddened. This city did not deserve this assault on its peace of mind. No city does, not state, no people.”

Grief counselors and other mental health services will be available for Maine residents, including family members of those who lost loved ones in Lewiston , Mills said. She added that “we need to help our communities heal,” and urged people call or text 988 for help.

“All Maine people are sharing in the sorrows of those who lost loved ones last night,” Mills said.

Several of the victims have been identified, Maine State Police Col. William Ross said during the press conference. So far, 10 people were not identified, he said.

The shootings at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston on Wednesday night engulfed the state’s second-largest city in chaos. Suspected shooter Robert Card , 40, remains at large as authorities ordered residents and business owners to stay inside and off the streets.

The bar was hosting an industry night where employees from bars and restaurants got 25% off their bill.

Maine State Police identified Robert Card as a person of interest in the Lewiston shootings. Card had been trained as a firearms instructor 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. It did not provide specific details about his treatment or condition.

“If you come into contact with this individual, or someone who looks like this individual, call 911,” Ross said.

The document also said Card had reported hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco, Maine .