Wednesday night, gunfire in the Maine city of Lewiston resulted in at least 22 fatalities and “many, many more” injuries, according to local officials.
The gunman, according to the police, was still at large.
According to media reports, city councilor Robert McCarthy stated that the number of people killed in the shooting rampage that occurred at a bowling alley, a nearby restaurant, and at least one other location had increased to 22.
McCarthy stated, “From what I understand, they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured.”
The gunman was declared wanted by the local police after they uploaded a photo of him on Facebook showing him inside the bowling alley with what looked to be a semi-automatic style pistol.
The police requested that anyone who knew who he was get in touch with them right away.
Additionally, they posted a photo of a white SUV and requested identification from the public, speculating that the car’s front bumper might have been painted black.
According to a Facebook post by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, authorities “are investigating two active shooter events.”
“All companies are urged to shut down or lock down while we do our investigation. The culprit is still on the loose.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the issue, according to the White House.
“Aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston,” stated Maine Governor Janet Mills.
Citing several law enforcement sources, CNN stated that at least 50 to 60 individuals were hurt in the incidents; however, it was unclear how many of the injuries were caused by gunfire.
According to the local newspaper, the Sun Journal, police and emergency personnel were sent to the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at around 7:15 p.m. local time in response to an active shooter. Shortly after arriving, they learned about another incident at the Schemengees Bar & Grille.
At 8:15 p.m., there was a report of another gunfire at a nearby Walmart distribution site, it stated.
Congressman Jared Golden of Maine responded to the news by writing on X, the former Twitter platform, saying, “Like all Mainers, I’m horrified by the events in Lewison tonight.” It’s my hometown here.
We’re all currently watching local law enforcement to take charge of the situation and gather intelligence. He remarked, “Our hearts hurt for the people that are impacted.
In the United States, a nation where there are more firearms than people and where attempts to stop the proliferation of these weapons are invariably met with fierce hostility, gun violence is frighteningly common.
As per the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental group, there have been over 500 mass shootings in the United States this year. The organization defines a mass shooting as one in which four or more persons are either killed or injured.
Republicans, who are ardent supporters of the constitutional right to bear arms, have long opposed efforts to tighten gun laws.
Political gridlock persists in spite of public indignation about the spate of shootings.
