Tragedy strikes Lewiston Maine as a series of shootings claims at least 22 lives and inflicts significant physical and emotional injuries on 50 to 60 others.
The dissemination of this heart-rending news was undertaken by NBC News, underscoring the immense pain and sorrow that has engulfed the entire community.
The local police department, recognized for its reliability, has furnished these disconcerting particulars, further underscoring the somber reality that has befallen this typically peaceful town.
Person of Interest
The Lewiston Police Department has identified a person of interest, Robert Card, a 40-year-old individual who now looms as a dark shadow in residents’ minds.
Fear and apprehension have taken hold as he is considered dangerous and possibly armed, evoking worry for the community’s safety.
Also read: Person of Interest in Lewiston
A Plea for Help
Before the person of interest was identified, the police shared three chilling photographs.
In them, an unidentified figure clutches what seems to be a firearm.
An image of a white SUV accompanies the photos, and a desperate plea for help reverberates through the community. An anxious search for answers begins.
The Sound of Sirens
Maine state police, through social media, sounded the alarm about an active shooter situation in Lewiston.
Panic fills the air as residents are urged to find refuge within the safety of their homes.
Locking doors, they wait anxiously as law enforcement races against time to bring an end to this nightmare.
The Sparetime Recreation bowling alley, Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center all became scenes of unimaginable tragedy.
The bowling alley lies about 6.5 kilometers north of the bar, while the distribution center sits approximately 2.5 kilometers south of the bar, marking a swath of sorrow across the town.
Medical Response
Amidst heartache, the Central Maine Medical Centre in Lewiston offers a ray of hope.
Their statement acknowledges the tragedy while emphasizing their collaboration with nearby hospitals to care for the injured.
Through their relentless efforts, they embody resilience and compassion, becoming a symbol of strength.
Lewiston: A Town Shattered
Once a bustling town of 38,000 Lewiston is now a town shattered.
It was known for its textile industry, but it is marked by grief today.
Nestled in southern Maine, it stands roughly midway between the state capital, Augusta, and the bustling city of Portland.
Response from the President
President Joe Biden, profoundly touched by the tragedy, has received a briefing on the situation and maintains a connection to the ongoing developments.
Tragedy Strikes Lewiston, Maine: Putting It in Perspective
If the confirmed count of 22 lives lost, it will mark a painful milestone.
This incident would become the deadliest shooting in the United States since at least August 2019.
On that dark day, a shooter armed with a rifle claimed 23 lives at an El Paso Walmart.
It was an act of hate against people of Hispanic descent, and it still lingers as a scar on the nation’s collective memory.
Rising Incidents
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there has been a surge in the number of mass shootings in the United States, involving four or more people being shot.
In 2022, there were 647 such incidents, and the projections for 2023 are even more heartbreaking, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
The pain continues to grow.
Deadliest Shooting on Record
In the annals of heartbreaking history, the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. remains the 2017 tragedy in Las Vegas.
A lone gunman, firing upon a country music festival from a towering hotel perch, stole away the lives of 58 people. The pain and sorrow still echo in the hearts of many.
