Hundreds of police are searching the city of Lewiston and surrounding areas of Maine for a suspect wanted in connection with mass shootings that killed at least 22 people and left dozens injured.
State and local police named Robert R. Card, 40, as a person of interest in the case after previously sharing photos of a man wielding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.
The pictures from one of Wednesday’s crime scenes showed a bearded man in a brown hoodie and jeans, holding the weapon in the firing position.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told a news conference.
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Several media reported that a Maine law enforcement bulletin identified Mr Card as a trained firearms instructor and member of the US Army reserve who recently reported that he had mental health issues, including hearing voices.
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Table of Contents
06:42 AM BST
President Biden briefed on shootings
President Joe Biden has spoken with Governor Mills on the phone following the mass shooting.
In a statement issued by the White House, it said it would offer “full federal support in the wake of this horrific attack.”
Wednesday’s death toll was staggering for a state that in 2022 had 29 homicides the entire year.
06:39 AM BST
Army firearms instructor named as person of interest
State and local police named Robert R. Card, 40, as a person of interest in the case after previously sharing photos of a man wielding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle.
According to a police intelligence bulletin, seen by the Associated Press news agency, Mr Card is a trained firearms instructor at a US Army Reserve facility in Maine who was committed to a mental health facility for two weeks earlier this year.
The document also said Mr Card had reported hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco, Maine.
06:38 AM BST
Police search for gunman
Hundreds of police are searching the city of Lewiston and surrounding areas of Maine for a suspect wanted in connection with mass shootings that killed at least 22 people and left dozens injured.
“We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told a news conference.
A spokesperson for Maine Department of Public Safety urged residents to stay in their homes with their doors locked.
“Law enforcement is currently investigating at two locations right now,” Shannon Moss said. “Again please stay off the streets and allow law enforcement to diffuse the situation.”
Gov. Janet Mills released a statement echoing those instructions. She said she had been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials.
06:37 AM BST
Good morning
The Telegraph will be providing live updates on the mass shooting spree in Maine which has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 people while dozens more have been injured.
State police in Lewiston, the state’s second-largest city, confirmed an active shooter had attacked a restaurant and bowling alley in what is the deadliest attack on US soil in four years.
A manhunt involving hundreds of police is currently under way to find the shooter who remains at large.
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