Authorities continue to search for a lone gunman in the Maine region, who they have identified as Robert Card, according to the latest information, a reserve soldier about 40 years old.

Although the number of dead and injured was initially unknown following two consecutive attacks that took place last night, a report delivered this morning put the death toll at 18 and at least 13 injured.

The events took place at around 6:56 pm local time (2256 GMT) on Wednesday at a bowling alley and restaurant in the town, the second largest in the state, with a population of almost 40,000.

The targeted bowling alley was hosting a youth match that evening, but local authorities have not provided details on the ages of the victims.

The search continues

The suspect “is believed to be armed and dangerous.” Locals have been asked to follow the shelter-in-place order and classes have therefore been suspended this Thursday.

Local police have not yet provided many details about the situation. All efforts are focused on the search for the suspect, who has not been ruled out because he has already crossed into another state.

The murder investigation is in its early stages, Col. William Ross of the Maine State Police said at a news conference.

Card is currently facing eight murder charges, as that is the number of victims already identified, but the number of charges is expected to equal the number of deaths.

The possible perpetrator’s car was located in Lisbon, about 12 kilometers from Lewiston.

The gunman, a weapons instructor, used an AR-15 style rifle to open fire at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and then near the Schemengees Bar and Grille around 7pm on Wednesday.

Lewiston, a small city of about 38,000, is on lockdown as police search for Card, who was placed in psychiatric confinement this summer due to mental health problems.

He previously reported hearing voices threatening to shoot up his National Guard base in Saco, Maine. “Please remain indoors as more than 100 investigators, both local and federal, work to locate Robert Card, a person of interest in the Lewiston shootings,” Maine State Police said on Facebook.

Lisbon Police Chief Ryan McGee called in the entire police department to help search and shut down local businesses.

Biggest shooting of 2023

The death toll, which could rise, is the highest for a mass shooting in the United States this year.

Additionally, the shooting nearly matches Maine’s total homicide count for 2022.

One of the places where Card shot attendees Wednesday, the Just-In-Time bowling alley, complained about the attack and the loss of life.

“None of what is happening seems real, but unfortunately it is,” the company wrote on its Facebook account. “We have lost incredible, kind-hearted members of our community and our family of bowling fans. There are no words that can solve this.”

The Department of Justice has confirmed that agents from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Marshals Service are supporting local authorities in the investigation and search for the suspect and in providing assistance to the victims. (JO)