Lewiston mass capturing: What we learn about individual of curiosity, Maine closures, extra

A seek for an individual of curiosity is underway within the Maine capturing that killed no less than 16 folks and injured dozens extra at two places in Lewiston, the state’s second-largest metropolis.

Authorities have put a number of cities underneath a shelter-in-place whereas greater than 100 regulation enforcement officers seek for Robert Card, 40, from Bowdoin. Faculties are additionally closed within the space. 

In a Fb put up from the Lewiston Police Division, authorities stated the individual of curiosity “must be thought of armed and harmful.” 

Right here’s what we all know as far as the search and updates from officers proceed into late Thursday morning.

Particular person of curiosity

Lewiston police had recognized Card as an individual of curiosity simply earlier than 11 p.m. Wednesday, hours after photographs rang out in Schemengees Bar & Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley, round 7 p.m. The 2 companies are situated throughout city from one another.

The Boston Globe studies that folks appeared to know the Bowdoin man within the tight-knit group of Lewiston, situated lower than half an hour away from the place Card lived.

“By the point police introduced the suspect’s identify, locals already know who it’s,” innkeeper Olga Dolgicer informed the Globe. “They are saying he has a historical past of psychological sickness, however is often a mellow man.”

Little info was out there about Card, who police had been nonetheless calling an individual of curiosity and never a suspect as of Thursday morning. However the Related Press studies a police bulletin stated Card is a firearms teacher at a “coaching facility” in Saco, probably with the U.S. Military Reserves. 

The doc stated Card was despatched to a psychological well being facility over the summer season for 2 weeks after he stated he was “listening to voices and threats to shoot up” the army base. 

Maine has relaxed gun legal guidelines and lacks the so-called “crimson flag” legal guidelines that some states have in place to forestall those that are deemed harmful or excessive threat from utilizing a firearm to harm themselves or others. 

Closures

Many Portland-area companies and colleges had been closed Thursday as police had not but known as off the seek for Card, studies Information Middle Maine.

In Lewiston, a number of roads surrounding the restaurant and bowling alley had been closed off to visitors. Officers additionally stated municipal buildings and colleges within the city would stay closed as a result of search.

“The SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER nonetheless stays in place,” Lewiston officers stated on Fb at about 7 a.m. “All municipal buildings and applications, together with many companies, are closed. Keep secure. Proceed to shelter in place.”

Close by city Auburn, Bowdoin Faculty, Portland colleges, and different cities, public colleges, and universities introduced closures no less than by means of Thursday.

Auburn Center College was in use as a reunification middle for households searching for family members who had been on the restaurant or bowling alley Wednesday night, the Globe studies.

Maine State Police had been anticipated to carry a press briefing at 10:30 a.m. to provide updates on the mass capturing.

That is an ongoing story and might be up to date.