A horrifying event unfolded in the northeastern state of Maine, where a lone gunman unleashed a wave of violence, leaving in its wake a rising death toll and numerous casualties.
According to two unnamed law enforcement sources in Lewiston, the toll of lives lost is estimated to be at least 16, though this grim count is anticipated to climb higher. Meanwhile, media outlets, citing a Lewiston law enforcement official who wished to remain anonymous, report a staggering figure of 22 fatalities and up to 60 individuals injured in the wake of the attack.
State and local authorities launched an extensive manhunt for the assailant, who remains at large. The exact count of casualties remains undisclosed, but it's important to note that the city of Lewiston is home to around 39,000 residents.
The Lewiston Police Department released a photograph on their Facebook page, identifying a person of interest as Robert Card. They issued a stark warning, describing Card as "armed and dangerous."
A state police report revealed that Card had received training as a firearms instructor at a US Army Reserve training center in Maine. However, it also mentioned that he had spent a two-week stint in a mental health facility during the summer.
In earlier communications, the authorities shared images of a bearded individual clad in a long-sleeved brown shirt and dark combat trousers, brandishing a rifle. They also released a photo of an abandoned white SUV with its doors left ajar, seeking information from the public.
The assailant systematically targeted a bar, a bowling alley, and a Walmart distribution center, as reported by the local Sun Journal newspaper.
Central Maine Medical Center, in response to the mass casualty event, stated on its website that its staff was mobilizing to address the repercussions of this horrific incident, collaborating with neighboring hospitals to accommodate the influx of patients.
Maine State Police planned to host a press conference later on the same evening to provide further details regarding the attack.
Lewiston is situated approximately 35 miles north of Portland, the largest city in Maine.
The White House has disclosed that President Joe Biden received a briefing on the unfolding tragedy and engaged in individual conversations with Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King, and Susan Collins, as well as Congressman Jared Golden. In these discussions, he offered full federal support in the aftermath of the attack.
Should the reported death toll of 22 be confirmed, the Lewiston incident would rank as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since at least August 2019 when a shooter opened fire on shoppers at an El Paso Walmart, claiming 23 lives with an AK-47 rifle, as documented by the Gun Violence Archive.
The year 2022 recorded 647 mass shootings, characterized by attacks in which at least four people lost their lives. Among these was the tragic event at a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, where a teenage gunman tragically took the lives of 19 young children and two adults.
Disturbingly, trends up to July indicate that 2023 could potentially witness 679 mass shootings, according to data from the archive.
In the face of the ongoing gun violence epidemic, President Biden has consistently called for reforms in gun legislation, urging Republican lawmakers to join in advocating for "common-sense reforms." These proposed changes include a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and the end of legal immunity for gun manufacturers.
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