A shooting attack leaves 18 people dead and 13 injured in the US
The hunt for the shooter 18 people killed in the US state of Maine.
The makeshift sign shows the city had to hastily close. The streets were empty. Lewiston residents were asked not to leave their homes. Throughout the day, announcements like this were broadcast to people’s cellphones in the region, announcing a curfew in neighboring towns as well.
“This is a dark day for Maine,” the governor said.
The killer is a 40yearold man, an army reservist and shooting instructor. Months ago he was admitted to a military hospital for two weeks because of mental health problems.
The first emergency call came in at 6:56 a.m. local time reporting a shooter in a bowling alley. Twelve minutes later, several calls came from a bar the second location was under attack. A total of 18 died. Eight victims were identified.
Bob Violett, 76, was a bowling instructor and was teaching when the shots rang out. Tricia Asselin, 53, also worked at the bowling alley, but on Wednesday (25) she was there to have fun. She ran to call emergency services when she was hit. Steven Vozzella, Bill Bracket and Bryan Macfarlane, 40, were hearing impaired and were taking part in a tournament at the bar.
The entire area within 200 meters of the bar where the second attack took place was cordoned off while investigators worked. The city of Lewiston has a population of 38,000. A population not used to seeing a lot of murders. According to state police annual number of murders Across the state of Maine it’s between 16 and 29. Lori lives across the street from the bar.
“I knew three people who died. I cried several times,” he said.
Brandon was putting on his bowling shoes when he heard the shots. He managed to climb onto the machine containing the pens and remained hidden until police arrived at the scene.
American President Joe Biden ordered flags on public buildings to fly at halfmast for five days. In a statement, he called on lawmakers to pass legislation banning semiautomatic rifles and requiring background checks on gun buyers.
Maine does not require background checks, nor does it have laws allowing courts to deny access to guns to people who pose a risk.