A gunman opened fire at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, Wednesday night, killing at least 16 people and throwing Maine’s second largest city into chaos.
Maine State Police issued a shelter in place for Lewistan and later extended it to the whole of Androscoggin County, while police released security camera images showing the suspect carrying an AR-style weapon and moving with purpose.
Source have said that dozens of people may be injured and that the number of fatalities will likely rise.
Trauma centers were reportedly on stand-by as far away as Portland and even Boston. Schools in the area reported that they will be closed on Thursday.
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WGME reported heavy law enforcement on the streets of the city, which includes Bates College and the Lewiston-Auburn campus of the University of Southern Maine.
The images of the suspect show a man with short brown hair and a beard, in a brown sweatshirt and dark pants. It’s not know if he is the only suspect. Central Maine Medical Center said they are responding to a “mass casualty” situation.
The Lewiston Police Department said the locations being investigated currently are Schemengees Bar and Grille, in the central part of the city near the Androscoggin River, and Sparetime Recreation, in the north of the city. WGME said another possible location was at a Walmart Distribution Center in the south of the city.
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Shortly before 11 p.m., a large police presence blocked off roads in nearby Lisbon Falls, according to WMTW.
Gov. Janet Mills issued a statement saying she was “aware of and have been briefed” on the situation.
“I urge all people in the area to follow the direction of State and local enforcement,” she said. “I will to continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials.”
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