US Police Begin Massive Manhunt For Maine Gunman Who Killed At Least 22

Today saw the start of a large manhunt for the gunman responsible for the bloodiest mass shooting of the year in the US state of Maine, where at least 22 people were murdered and “many” more injured, according to a local official.

Robert Card “should be considered armed and dangerous,” according to the police, when they saw him entering a bowling alley in the town of Lewiston while brandishing a semi-automatic gun with an extended clip.

According to CNN, which cited law enforcement officials, Card is a trained firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve.

Robert McCarthy, a city council member from Lewiston, told CNN that there were “22 confirmed dead, many, many more injured,” and local media outlets had reported that there had been shootings at several sites.

A large portion of Lewiston was placed on lockdown, businesses were asked to close, and residents were told to remain indoors as the terrible epidemic of gun violence tore through an American neighborhood once more.

Mike Sauschuck, a public safety official in Maine, described the situation as “very fluid” and stated he was not ready to declare a death toll. Reporters were being flooded with police as they searched for the gunman, he informed them.

“To investigate this case and locate Mr. Card, we have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine,” he said to reporters.

According to city councilor McCarthy, the two Lewiston hospitals “have called in every off-duty staff member that they could to deal with this,” and rescue vehicles rushed in from all across central Maine to treat to the injured.

Stepping away from a state dinner honoring Australia’s prime minister, President Joe Biden called the governor, two senators, and a local congressman in Maine to extend an offer of government support, according to the White House.

The Central Maine Medical Centre, where some of the injured were receiving treatment, was observed to be guarded by armed police early on Thursday.

Statements claimed that classes would not be held on Thursday at a number of Maine school boards and educational institutions, including Bates College.

According to the local newspaper, the Sun Journal, police and emergency personnel reportedly responded to an active shooter at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley at approximately 7.15 p.m. local time (8.15 a.m. Malaysian time). Later, they learned of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille.

Numerous images of 40-year-old Card at the bowling alley were released by the police. In them, he is seen entering the entryway with his rifle up, looking composed and at ease.

“If you know where he is, please let law enforcement know,” they said.

A white sport utility vehicle (SUV) that investigators had been searching for had been found in Lisbon, a town about 12 kilometers from Lewiston, where locals had also been advised to avoid the area, according to Sauschuck.

According to sources, the card was not in the car.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department posted on social media that they “are investigating two active shooter events.”

“All companies are urged to shut down or lockdown while we do our investigation. The culprit is still on the loose.

“Aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston,” stated Maine Governor Janet Mills.