A shooting in Lewiston, Maine, apparently left dozens dead and dozens injured. According to police, the suspect is still at large.
According to media reports, at least 16 people were killed and between 50 and 60 other people were injured in several armed attacks in the US state of Maine.
At night (local time) there was mixed information about the number of victims. The television station CNN and the “Wall Street Journal” reported at least 16 deaths, the NBC station even reported at least 22 deaths.
Lewiston City Council member Robert McCarthy told CNN that city officials believe there are already 22 dead and “many, many more injured.” These numbers have not yet been officially confirmed.
Suspect is still at large
The shooter was on the run, local authorities and multiple U.S. media outlets reported. Police in Maine, in the northeast of the United States, said on the Facebook online service that the shooter was in the city of Lewiston. Androscoggin County police said the suspect was “still on the run” and released photos showing a man with a semiautomatic firearm. She asked all businesses to lock their doors.
Residents in the area were urged to seek safety. Police also published a photo of a car and asked the public for information about the man and the car.
Apparently three crime scenes
The hospital in Lewiston spoke of “numerous victims.” It is working with neighboring hospitals to accommodate all patients.
The local Sun Journal, citing a police spokesman, reported three crime scenes: a bowling alley, a restaurant and a Walmart distribution center. Lewiston is part of Androscoggin County and is located approximately 35 miles north of Portland, the largest city in Maine.
President Biden Summaries
The White House said US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident and will continue to be kept updated. He spoke on the phone with Maine Governor Janet Mills, as well as members of the state’s Congress, and offered full federal support in the wake of the “horrible attack.”
Biden hosted a state banquet for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the US government headquarters in the evening.