A tragic shooting incident at a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, has left at least 18 people dead and numerous others injured. Law enforcement sources confirmed this as one of the deadliest shootings of the year and one of the most devastating in recent decades. The death toll is expected to rise as authorities continue to investigate the incident.
The shooting occurred during a youth night event at a local bowling alley, where witnesses described scenes of desperation as people sought refuge behind benches, tables, and even inside the bowling pin machinery at the end of the lanes.
Meghan Hutchinson, a mother who was present during the incident, recounted the terrifying moment when she spotted the shooter. She said, “When I turned around, I saw the shooter. … I don’t know if that was just a warning shot or if he shot somebody with that [bullet].” Hutchinson and others managed to find safety behind swinging doors where mechanical equipment was stored and called 911.
Ten-year-old Zoey Levesque, who was with her mother during the ordeal, was grazed by a bullet. She expressed her shock and fear, saying, “I never thought I’d grow up and get a bullet in my leg.” Zoey wondered why such events occur and if she would survive.
Lewiston police have identified a person of interest in the case as Robert Card, who remains at large. Card has a history of military service and is a firearms instructor, according to sources. He also has a mental health history, including a recent two-week stay at a mental health facility following threats related to a potential shooting at a National Guard facility. While authorities located Card’s white Subaru in Lisbon, Maine, the manhunt for him continues.
Witnesses like Riley Dumont and Brandon, who were present at the bowling alley during the shooting, shared their harrowing experiences, with Dumont describing a moment that felt like a lifetime filled with sobs and cries.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, this incident in Lewiston already stands as the deadliest shooting of the year. Maine reported just 29 homicides in the entirety of the previous year.
Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed awareness of the situation and urged all individuals in the area to follow the guidance of state and local law enforcement. She pledged to monitor the situation closely and maintain close contact with public safety officials.
Local authorities plan to hold a media briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET. Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline conveyed his sorrow for the city and its people, emphasizing the community’s strength and resilience during these trying times.
