At least 22 people have been killed and “many more” injured late Wednesday in shootings in the northern US state of Maine, a local official said on CNN.
Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy said authorities “have confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured.”
The shooting spree took place at a bowling alley and also at least one other location, a local restaurant and bar, according to local media, with police saying the gunman was still at large.
The officials said multiple people had also been wounded. Investigators were still processing the crime scenes and working to gather evidence. Police were searching for the man who opened fire Wednesday at two locations in the Maine city.
Lewiston Police said in an earlier Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley.
Local police posted a photo of the shooter on Facebook carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic style weapon inside a bowling alley.
Law enforcement “are investigating two active shooter events,” the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Facebook.
“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate. The suspect is still at large.”
Maine Governor Janet Mills said she was “aware of and have been briefed on the active shooter situation in Lewiston.”
President Joe Biden has also been briefed, according to the White House.
CNN reported that at least 50 to 60 people were injured in the incidents, citing multiple law enforcement sources, but said it was unclear how many of the injuries were the result of gunfire.
Maine Congressman Jared Golden wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter that “like all Mainers, I’m horrified by the events in Lewison tonight. This is my hometown.”
“Right now, all of us are looking to local law enforcement as they gain control of the situation and gather information. Our hearts break for those who are affected,” he said.
Awash in firearms, the United States has recorded over 500 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-governmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed.
Efforts to tighten gun controls have for years run up against opposition from Republicans, staunch defenders of the constitutional right to bear arms.
The political paralysis endures despite widespread outrage over recurring shootings. (First Post)