Wednesday night saw the issuance of a critical directive by the Maine State Police, urging residents in the state's second-largest city to take shelter due to a live active shooter situation unfolding simultaneously in multiple locations.
Via a Facebook post, the Lewiston Police department reported an ongoing incident involving an active shooter at two establishments: Schemengees Bar and Grille, and Sparetime Recreation, a local bowling alley.
Citing reliable sources within law enforcement, The Associated Press and ABC News disclosed that there were a minimum of 10 casualties, while concerns persisted that the fatality count might increase. A significant number of individuals also suffered injuries during the incident.
In the interest of public safety, authorities appealed to the community to avoid using the roads to ensure unhindered access for emergency responders to local hospitals.
Central Maine Medical Center, through its website, elucidated their response to the mass casualty event caused by a mass shooter. They were actively engaged in coordinating with neighboring hospitals to accommodate and provide care for the patients affected by the incident.
The alert for Lewiston was issued just after 8 pm, coinciding with an announcement from the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, confirming their active investigation of two separate active shooter incidents. At that moment, the suspect remained at large.
The sheriff's office advised all businesses to implement security measures for their premises and, where feasible, consider a temporary closure of their operations while the situation was under investigation.
A representative from the Maine Department of Public Safety issued a resounding call for residents to remain within the safety of their homes, ensuring their doors were securely locked.
Shannon Moss, in her statement, stressed, "Law enforcement is actively responding to incidents at two distinct locations. We strongly urge everyone to avoid venturing onto the streets and to allow law enforcement to effectively manage the situation."
The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office shared two images of the suspect on their Facebook page, depicting an armed individual entering a business establishment.
The White House disclosed that President Joe Biden had received a briefing on the shootings and would continue to receive updates, as reported by Reuters.
Governor Janet Mills issued a statement echoing the directives of the police, emphasizing her vigilance regarding the situation and her ongoing communication with public safety officials.
Maine Senator Angus King, an independent representative, expressed profound sadness for the city of Lewiston and all those who had concerns about the safety of their family, friends, and neighbors. He assured that he was actively monitoring the developing situation.