Police in the US city of Lewiston, Maine have warned a gunman is on the loose, with reports that at least 16 people have been killed.

Residents of the city, the second-largest in the state, have been told to shelter in place.

Police named Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest and said he should be considered "armed and dangerous".

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation and would continue to receive updates.

There were also multiple but unconfirmed reports of at least 50 people injured.

Billie Jayne Cooke, who is running for the city council in Lewiston, told BBC News Channel she had been leaving an event as details of the shooting emerged.

 

"The entire ride home was just solid sirens, one siren after another," she said.

"Helicopters, sirens, I've never heard so much activity in my life in this city. We have police from all over the state, from out of the state, coming up.

"The whole city's on lockdown. It's horrible. You just don't think that's ever going to happen and it did."

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Maine State Police said: "There is an active shooter in Lewiston.

"We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked."

Lewiston Police said it had responded to two locations, a restaurant called Schemengees, and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley.

 

The two locations appear to be about four miles (6.5km), or 10-minute drive, from each other.

The Central Maine Medical Center said it was reacting to a "mass casualty, mass shooter event" and was coordinating with other hospitals in the area to treat the injured.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released two images of a suspect, saying he was at large and asking for the public's help identifying him.

They showed a bearded man in a brown sweater carrying a firearm walking into a building.

Police also shared a photo of a white vehicle, saying its front bumper was believed to be painted black, and asked anybody who recognised it to contact police.

Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais said in a statement that schools in the district would be closed on Thursday.

 

A statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had been briefed and was continuing to monitor the situation.

"DHS is working closely with our federal, state and local partners to support the Lewiston community," it said.

A US justice department statement said that federal agencies were assisting state and local law enforcement.

 

FULL STORY

 

 

 

At least 22 dead in Maine shootings, gunman at large

 

In this image taken from video released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, an unidentified gunman points a gun while entering Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. / AP

At least 22 people were killed and “many, many more” were injured in shootings in the city of Lewiston, Maine Wednesday evening, local officials reported, with police saying that the gunman was still at large.

 

City Councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN that the death toll had risen to 22 in the shooting spree that took place at a bowling alley and also at least one other location, a local restaurant and bar, according to media.

 

“My understanding is that they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” McCarthy said.

 

Local police posted a photo of the shooter on Facebook carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic style weapon inside the bowling alley.

 

The bearded man wore a brown top, blue pants and brown shoes, and police asked for anyone with information on his identity to contact them immediately.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-26

 

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And so it goes……..sad

I hope people aren't going to come here and start saying guns are a problem......we all know more guns are the solution.....any idiot knows that.

It's so weird how this keeps happening in a country where guns like this are so freely available, yet doesn't happen in similar countries where guns are not so freely available.   I just cannot put my finger on why this might be.   If this guy happened to be in the UK or Australia and wanted to go on a murderous rampage then he obviously would have just used his car to enter the bowling alley (somehow) and kill 22 people, or perhaps used a very big kitchen knife to kill 22 people whilst they just stood there patiently waiting to be killed (rather than running away), so let us not pretend that the semi automatic AR-15 killing machine that happened to be used in this case is to blame here.   

Just now, James105 said:

It's so weird how this keeps happening in a country where guns like this are so freely available, yet doesn't happen in similar countries where guns are not so freely available.   I just cannot put my finger on why this might be.   If this guy happened to be in the UK or Australia and wanted to go on a murderous rampage then he obviously would have just used his car to enter the bowling alley (somehow) and kill 22 people, or perhaps used a very big kitchen knife to kill 22 people whilst they just stood there patiently waiting to be killed (rather than running away), so let us not pretend that the semi automatic AR-15 killing machine that happened to be used in this case is to blame here.   

You are opening yourself up to a world of pain here........just wait for NRA swivel-eyed loons to read this....555

44 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

I hope people aren't going to come here and start saying guns are a problem......we all know more guns are the solution.....any idiot knows that.

Guns are the problem, only an idiot does not understand this.

Just now, UWEB said:

Guns are the problem, only an idiot does not understand this.

I was going to put (sarcasm) but it kind of spoils the whole thing.

28 minutes ago, James105 said:

It's so weird how this keeps happening in a country where guns like this are so freely available, yet doesn't happen in similar countries where guns are not so freely available.   I just cannot put my finger on why this might be.   If this guy happened to be in the UK or Australia and wanted to go on a murderous rampage then he obviously would have just used his car to enter the bowling alley (somehow) and kill 22 people, or perhaps used a very big kitchen knife to kill 22 people whilst they just stood there patiently waiting to be killed (rather than running away), so let us not pretend that the semi automatic AR-15 killing machine that happened to be used in this case is to blame here.   

Great point. These things never happen in countries with strong gun laws.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/24/norway-strict-gun-laws-circumvented

 

34 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Great point. These things never happen in countries with strong gun laws.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/24/norway-strict-gun-laws-circumvented

 

Norway had two cases of gun-related deaths in 2022, how many in the U.S.?

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Great point. These things never happen in countries with strong gun laws.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/24/norway-strict-gun-laws-circumvented

 

 

This is exactly my point!   You didn't even need to go back that far to find an example (just 12 years), and despite Norway's tough gun laws a determined lunatic was able to thwart them!   Obviously since Norway made guns so difficult to obtain there was a lack of "good guys" with guns that could have put a stop to his murderous antics and I've no doubt over the last 12 years of zero massacres the citizens of Norway are in a constant state of terror due to the lack of good guys with guns and are probably too terrified to leave their homes.  They obviously have a lot to learn from the USA who continue to (coincidentally I am sure and nothing to do with guns) face these gun massacres on such a regular basis.

Edited October 26, 20232 yr by James105

32 minutes ago, candide said:

Norway had two cases of gun-related deaths in 2022, how many in the U.S.?

In Australia, a country with sensible gun laws, there were no mass shootings in 2023 whereas US had over 500.

 

U.S. tops 500 mass shootings in 2023 (axios.com)

11 minutes ago, James105 said:

ou didn't even need to go back that far to find an example (just 12 years)

Just 12 years, is that irony?

55 minutes ago, candide said:

Norway had two cases of gun-related deaths in 2022, how many in the U.S.?

 

Are the populations the same?

 

Is the Demographic the same?

 

The fact is, if someone wants to get their hands on guns they will. Breivik proved that.

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Great point. These things never happen in countries with strong gun laws.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/24/norway-strict-gun-laws-circumvented

 

As of September 30,2023 at least 571 people have been killed and 1,947 other people have been injured in 487 shootings, in the USA.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States_in_2023

 

And you dig up one incident from 12 years ago.

 

Can you not really see the difference!!!!

The guy has mental health issues and threatened to commit a mass shooting on a military base before and yet he worked as a shooting instructor and is running around freely! How the hell does that make sense? 

30 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Are the populations the same?

 

Is the Demographic the same?

 

The fact is, if someone wants to get their hands on guns they will. Breivik proved that.

Sure! 

Norway pop around 5M, US 330 M, x66

Norway 2 gun deaths in 2022, US 20,000, x10,000

 

Mass shootings: Norway 1 during 12 years  US 647 in one year (2022)

Seems to be yet another failed system check of laws (fed & state) already on the books.

 

Oh well ... 🔫

 

Too bad an armed citizen hasn't taken him out yet.  So much for lax law being of any help in this case, as you don't need a permit to carry in Maine, concealed or open.

 

In Philly, he wouldn't make it halfway down the block without someone capping his A$$ 🤣

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

I was going to put (sarcasm) but it kind of spoils the whole thing.

You would have to be an idiot to not see its sarcasm but when it comes to the US and guns.........................................lol

26 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Seems to be yet another failed system check of laws (fed & state) already on the books.

 

Oh well ... 🔫

 

Too bad an armed citizen hasn't taken him out yet.  So much for lax law being of any help in this case, as you don't need a permit to carry in Maine, concealed or open.

 

In Philly, he wouldn't make it halfway down the block without someone capping his A$$ 🤣

What has Australian dollars got to do with it?

 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Seems to be yet another failed system check of laws (fed & state) already on the books.

 

Oh well ... 🔫

 

Too bad an armed citizen hasn't taken him out yet.  So much for lax law being of any help in this case, as you don't need a permit to carry in Maine, concealed or open.

 

In Philly, he wouldn't make it halfway down the block without someone capping his A$$ 🤣

Perhaps, Neighbourhood Watch vigilante groups on every US suburban corner, fully armed with assault rifles, of course with permits to carry concealed or open, would be the way to go?

I am not going to comment on gun laws etc. because I'm not American. 22 lives lost and many injured is so very sad. I cannot understand what makes an individual decide to massacre people going about their daily routine. My sympathy to the families. 

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Great point. These things never happen in countries with strong gun laws.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/24/norway-strict-gun-laws-circumvented

 

I have yet to see a post from you, in any thread, that is not a deflection. As several posters before me have already pointed out: over 500 mass shootings this year in the US, with more than two months to go. Want to bet we’re going to get to (at least) 600? Fall and winter are always good seasons to get a nice depression and go on a shooting spree.
And yet surprisingly few mass shootings (almost non existent) in countries with much stricter gun laws. I wonder if you can connect the dots…

Edited October 26, 20232 yr by rudi49jr

35 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Perhaps, Neighbourhood Watch vigilante groups on every US suburban corner, fully armed with assault rifles, of course with permits to carry concealed or open, would be the way to go?

I would think those w/neighborhood watch groups do have less crime.  Though as shown, you are not going to stop nutters ... ever.

 

So I don't know what your silly comment was for ... oh yea, to elicit a response.   Was that good enough, tissues at the ready.  You already should know I'm pro firearms.

 

Any conversation about guns and or gun laws have been done to death.  Have a nice day.

 

R I P

Edited October 26, 20232 yr by KhunLA

21 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

I have yet to see a post from you, in any thread, that is not a deflection. As several posters before me have already pointed out: over 500 mass shootings this year in the US, with more than two months to go. Want to bet we’re going to get to (at least) 600? Fall and winter are always good seasons to get a nice depression and go on a shooting spree.
And yet surprisingly few mass shootings (almost non existent) in countries with much stricter gun laws. I wonder if you can connect the dots…

 

Glad to see that the U.S. is so much a safer place because it's literally flooded with guns...  😞

 

28 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Though as shown, you are not going to stop nutters ... ever.

Most countries with sensible gun laws seem to be able to stop nutters from committing mass shootings... most times.

 

I wonder how they do it......

 

28 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Any conversation about guns and or gun laws have been done to death.

 

Yor response was not compulsory, but I do appreciate it.

 

I suggest the lack of a rational conversation about guns is the main cause of unnecessary US gun death.

 

Edited October 26, 20232 yr by LosLobo

And the known perpetrator is only 'A person of interest'? 🙄

33 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Most countries with sensible gun laws seem to be able to stop nutters from committing mass shootings... most times.

 

I wonder how they do it......

 

 

Yor response was not compulsory, but I do appreciate it.

 

I suggest the lack of a rational conversation about guns is the main cause of unnecessary US gun death.

All your comparisons are apples & oranges. 100s of millions of firearms, legal & illegal in USA.  Open borders where a million+ cross every year, and they can't even stop them.  

 

You can't stop the flow of guns, so you won't be stopping shootings.  Talk all you want, all the laws they have now have done nothing.  Every aspect of the 'system' is a failure.  Until that changes, nothing will.

 

If I lived there, I'd have a firearm, probably never need, as 30 adult ish years there, and had, but never needed.  It is what it is.  People have accepted it, as they appear to not want to change it, or they would IMHO

 

Chance are being shot, let alone killed by a stranger with a firearm, and almost nil.  Probably why nobody cares to change anything in USA.

 

Mass shootings are good for headliners, and so many more things to worry about than a stranger/nutter shooting you.  You have 4-5X more chance of dying, by simply falling in your home in the USA.

 

Let that one sink in.

Theres a ton more prolly coming down the pipe. Biden admin sticking their noses in every countries business plus open borders.