Lewiston massacre: US city in turmoil as 22 fall victim to gunman
In an evening filled with terror, Lewiston, Maine was rocked by a heinous shooting spree that took the lives of 22 innocent souls. The horror didn’t end there, as “many, many more” have been reported injured, according to city officials. The spine-chilling events unfolded at popular spots in the city – a bowling alley and a local restaurant and bar.
Local Councilor, Robert McCarthy, gave a chilling account to CNN: “My understanding is that they have a tentative identification… of the shooter at the bowling alley, confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured,” he remarked, encapsulating the tragedy that befell Lewiston.
Manhunt Intensifies; Gunman Still on the Loose
Local police, in a desperate bid to capture the assailant, released a photograph on Facebook showing him armed with what seems like a semi-automatic weapon inside the bowling alley. A bearded individual dressed in a brown top and blue pants; the city is on edge as he remains at large. To make matters worse, an image of a white SUV with potentially a black-painted front bumper was also disseminated, urging the public to help in identifying it.
The magnitude of this tragedy has law enforcement on high alert, with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department reporting two “active shooter events.” They’re encouraging businesses to take extreme precautions. “We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate. The suspect is still at large,” the Sheriff’s Department warned on Facebook.
Authorities and Officials Respond
Top officials, including President Joe Biden and Maine Governor Janet Mills, have been briefed. The Governor acknowledged her awareness of the grave situation, while CNN sources reveal a staggering 50 to 60 people might be injured, although the nature of these injuries remains uncertain.
The mayhem didn’t just end at the bowling alley. Subsequent reports unveiled another shooting episode at the Schemengees Bar & Grille. Tragically, at around 8:15 pm, more shots were reportedly fired at a Walmart distribution center.
Expressing his horror, Maine Congressman Jared Golden, representing the heart of many, stated on X (formerly Twitter): “like all Mainers, I’m horrified by the events in Lewison tonight. This is my hometown.”
Sadly, the US has become accustomed to such horrors, with gun violence alarmingly frequent. With the political tug-of-war over gun control and the right to bear arms, tragedies like these have become all too familiar.