Maine mass shooting leaves 22 dead, 30 injured: Manhunt underway for Robert Card; who is he?

In a horrifying incident on Wednesday evening, a mass shooting unfolded at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston, Maine, leaving 22 people de and 30 ors injured. assailant, identified as Robert R. Card of Bowdoin, Maine, is now subject of a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers.

Lewiston Police Department has officially identified 40-year-old Robert R. Card as a person of interest in dely attack. Card, described as a firearms instructor believed to be in Army Reserve, is reported to be assigned to a training facility in Saco, Maine. police bulletin emphasises that Card should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Documents circulated among law enforcement officials revealed that Card h been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks during summer of 2023. Although specific details about his treatment remain undisclosed, documents mentioned that Card h reported "hearing voices and threats to shoot up" military base.

A "vehicle of interest" linked to Card was located in Lisbon, Maine, as state police appealed to public for assistance in locating him. Photos shared by Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office depict suspect wearing a brown sweatshirt and holding a rifle.

As manhunt intensifies, residents of Lewiston have been instructed to "shelter in place" and "stay inside your home with doors locked." heightened state of alert follows potential threat posed by armed and dangerous suspect.

FBI Boston Division is actively coordinating with local and state law enforcement agencies. In a statement, y expressed reiness to provide any necessary resources, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support, as well as victim assistance.

#FBI Boston Statement on Shootings in Lewiston, Maine. pic.twitter.com/Nny0D6fUr8

— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston)

Biden's response and statewide impact

United States President Joe Biden has offered "full federal support in wake of this horrific attack," according to a White House statement. Maine Governor Janet Mills has also released a statement, echoing instructions for people to shelter.

In response to incident, local schools in Lewiston will be closed on Thursday. shocking death toll from Wednesday's shooting surpasses total homicides recorded in state for entire year of 2022.

incident has reignited discussions about gun control in Maine, a state where permits are not required to carry guns. Despite recent attempts by gun control vocates, proposals to tighten gun laws, including background checks for private sales and a 72-hour waiting period for purchases, have failed. Maine's long-standing culture of gun ownership, rooted in hunting and sport shooting tritions, remains a contentious issue.