(Lewiston, Maine) A tragedy whose atrocity exceeds imagination: authorities in Maine in the United States are still mobilized to locate the alleged perpetrator of the Lewiston shooting which claimed the lives of 18 people and left 13 injured Wednesday evening.
“It goes beyond our understanding,” described Lewinston police chief David St-Pierre, adding that authorities would do everything they could to arrest the person responsible for this “atrocity.” »
The killing shakes this community in a state described as the safest in the country. A shooter opened fire Wednesday shortly before 7 p.m. at Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and bar-restaurant.
The alleged shooter is still actively sought by police in connection with eight homicides. An arrest warrant has also been issued. Police have identified eight victims since last night. “Once the other ten victims are identified, other arrest warrants will be added,” *** said Thursday morning to the crowd of media present at Lewiston city hall.
In total, seven people – a woman and six men – were killed by gunshots at the bowling alley, according to information released Thursday morning.
Eight men are reported to have died at the bar. One of them was outside the establishment at the time of the shooting, while the other victims were inside. Significant resources are being mobilized to track suspect Robert Card, 40 years old. “He is armed and dangerous. You must not approach him,” Colonel William Ross of the Maine State Police Department stressed at a press briefing.
“Lewinston is a special place. This city does not deserve this attack,” added the governor of the state of Maine, Janet Mills, in a vibrant speech.
Around city hall, the streets are deserted, businesses are closed and the sidewalks are empty. Chief St-Pierre recalled that schools are closed until further notice as a precaution.
Authorities did not release the ages of the victims and gave no other details about the suspect and the ongoing search.
“We are at the start of an ongoing investigation, we must limit what we reveal. We will have updates throughout the day,” added Colonel Ross.