Maine shooting LIVE: First victims named as manhunt for Lewiston gunman continues

A manhunt is now entering its sixteenth hour to catch the “armed and dangerous” suspect wanted in connection to two mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, that left 18 people dead and 13 injured.

A gunman opened fire in the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and then the Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant at around 7pm on Wednesday night. Terrifying surveillance footage grabs showed the shooter armed with a rifle. The first victims have been named by family members.

An intensive manhunt is underway across the state for 40-year-old Robert Card, formally identified as the suspect in the now active homicide investigation during a press conference on Thursday morning.

Mr Card is a member of the US Army Reserves and a certified firearms instructor, who officials said had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility and had reported mental health issues, including hearing voices.

His whereabouts are currently unknown though his car – a 2013 white Subaru – was located at a boatslip in the town of Lisbon.

Residents in both Lewiston and Lisbon have been urged to shelter in place.

Warning: Disturbing images

Key points

• Manhunt for Robert Card – suspect in Maine shootings

• Ten-year-old girl injured in Maine bowling alley shooting asks heartbreaking question

• Robert Card’s ties to US military revealed

• Card threatened to shoot up National Guard base and was hearing voices: police

• Police release images of suspect brandishing rifle

• Residents urged to shelter in place in Lewiston, Lisbon and Bowdoin

In pictures: Police continue to hunt for suspect in Maine mass shooting

06:30 , Namita Singh

Lewiston Public Schools to remain shut on Friday

06:00 , Namita Singh

Lewiston Public Schools will be closed on Friday for the second day in a row as the suspect in Wednesday night’s mass shooting remains at large.

“We remain in a shelter in place situation,” said Superintendent Jake Langlais in a post on the district’s website. “We will not open buildings or run bus transportation.”

Robert Card: What we know about suspect in Maine mass shooting

05:30 , Namita Singh

On Wednesday night the city of Lewiston, Maine, was shaken after a gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar. Police scrambled to find the shooter, urging residents and local businesses to lock down immediately.

Maine law enforcement officials later announced that Robert Card, a 40-year-old Sgt 1st class in the Army Reserve, is wanted as a suspect in the shootings that left 18 dead and 13 others injured.

Here’s what we know so far about the accused gunman:

Robert Card: What we know about suspect in Maine mass shooting

New House Speaker slammed for offering prayers after mass shooting

04:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing criticism after simply offering “prayers” following the mass shooting in Maine as he responded to his first major crisis as a top-ranking elected official.

After calling it a “horrific tragedy”, here’s what he said to the media on Thursday morning:

“This is a dark time in America, we have a lot of problems and we’re really, really hopeful and prayerful. Prayer is appropriate in a time like this, that the evil can end and this senseless violence can stop. And so that’s that’s the statement this morning on behalf of the entire House of Representatives. Everyone wants this to end and I’ll leave it there.”

Speaker Mike Johnson slammed for offering prayers after mass shooting

Lewiston bar manager identified among 18 victims of Maine shooting

04:35 , Namita Singh

The father of a bar manager in Lewiston identified his son as one of the 18 victims who died in Wednesday’s shooting in Maine.

Leroy Walker, a city council member in Auburn, Maine, told NBC News that state police had confirmed his son Joseph Walker had been killed when a gunman opened fire at two locations in Lewiston, including Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, where he was the bar manager.

A manhunt is underway for the “armed and dangerous” gunman who opened fire at Schemengees bar and in the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley around 7pm on Wednesday night, which left 18 people dead and 13 injured.

Report:

Lewiston bar manager identified among 18 victims of Maine shooting

Bar manager identified among Lewiston dead

04:15 , Oliver O'Connell

The father of a bar manager in Lewiston identified his son as one of the 18 victims who died in Wednesday’s shooting in Maine.

Leroy Walker, a city council member in Auburn, Maine, told NBC News that state police had confirmed his son Joseph Walker had been killed when a gunman opened fire at two locations in Lewiston, including Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, where he was the bar manager.

Many people in the community have been waiting on edge to hear whether or not their loved ones have been identified as victims in the shooting.

It took over 14 hours for Mr Walker to be notified about his son, and he said his family was “suffering and dying in a nightmare we don’t understand.”

“None of us slept, we were up all night,” he said. “We didn’t know where to go, who to run to. They didn’t notify any of us.”

Andrea Cavallier reports.

Lewiston bar manager identified among 18 victims of Maine shooting

Heavily armed police surround home in search for Maine shooting suspect

04:04 , Namita Singh

Heavily armed police surrounded a home on Thursday as they searched for a US Army reservist who authorities say killed 18 people and wounded 13 in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine.

“You need to come outside now with nothing in your hands. Your hands in the air,” police shouted through a megaphone outside the home owned by suspect Robert Card’s relative near the town of Bowdoin.

Dozens of law enforcement officials had descended on the property, with extended announcements calling for Mr Card and anyone in the home to come out into the driveway.

In most instances when police execute warrants - even for suspects wanted for violent crimes - they move quickly to enter the home.

“The announcements that are being heard over a loudspeaker are standard search warrant announcements when executing a warrant to ensure the safety of all involved,” state police spokesperson Shannon Moss said.

“It is unknown whether Robert Card is in any of the homes law enforcement will search.”

Map: Where the shootings took place and area under shelter-in-place order

03:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Here’s where the incidents unfolded on Wednesday night:

Map of Maine shootings as shelter in place ordered amid manhunt

White House calls on new Speaker to find common ground on gun control in wake of Maine tragedy

02:45 , Oliver O'Connell

At today’s White House press conference, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave the following statement ahead of questions from the press corps.

I wanted to start with a word about the horrific news out of Lewiston, Maine last night, where we saw another tragic shooting that has taken at least 18 lives, injured many others and left countless people in grief, shock and trauma.

As the President said in a statement earlier today, he and the First Lady are praying for the victims and their families for those still fighting for their lives. And for the families, survivors and community members reeling from this latest act of gun violence. And importantly, we continue to urge all residents to heed the warnings and guidance of local officials and federal law enforcement are on the ground to assist with the response.

During the state dinner last night, the President was informed and stepped out to receive an initial briefing of the shooting. Later he stepped out to speak with Maine governor Janet Mills as well as senators Collins and King and Congressman Jared Golden. He pledged full federal support in the wake of this horrific tragedy. This morning the President received another briefing on the shooting from senior advisors and he ordered that the US flag be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds out of respect for all the victims as well. So I want to echo the President’s sentiments on this strategy, tragedy and the epidemic of gun violence in general. This is not normal. We cannot accept this. There have been literally hundreds of mass shootings in the last year alone, leaving empty seats at dinner tables across the country and leaving those who survive these heinous acts, both physically and mentally. scarred.

And while we have made progress since the President signed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, much more, much more must be done.

And the president has been clear that executive action alone is just not enough.

As the vice president —who oversees the newly established office of gun violence and prevention — stated during today’s state lunch, and I know many of you watched very closely as well, and she said it doesn’t have to be this way.

As our friends in Australia have demonstrated. Again, it does not have to be this way. It’s within Congress’s power to pass legislation that will make our streets safer that will make our community safer that will make our schools safer.

The house has a new speaker who he said he’s ready to get to work and to find common ground. Now is the time, now is the time to find common ground. Let’s work together to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. let’s work together to enact universal background checks, require safe storage of guns, and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous individuals who have no business being armed with a weapon of war.

The president will continue to do everything in his power to protect the American people, to protect our communities to protect our children, and we urge, we urge congressional Republicans to come to the table to come to the table. If there truly is common ground, at this time.

Sen. Susan Collins stands firm on assault weapons stance after Maine mass shooting

02:23 , Graeme Massie

Earlier: Murder warrant issued as victims identified

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A warrant has been issued for Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card, 40, after a car that was registered to him was located in a boat landing in Maine.

Maine State Police said at Thursday’s press conference that 18 people were left dead after a mass shooting that began at a bowling alley called Just-in-Time Recreation in Lewiston on Wednesday night and extended to Schemengees Bar and Grill, just four miles away. It marked America’s deadliest mass shooting this year.

Despite the death toll of 18, Maine State Police Colonel William Ross said that Mr Card faces an arrest warrant for eight counts of murder because 10 people have yet to be identified. The number of counts will increase as those identifications are made.

Kelly Rissman reports.

Murder warrant issued for Maine shooting suspect after car abandoned by river

Rep. Jared Golden U-turns on assault rifles, calls for ban from congress

01:44 , Graeme Massie

How the 2024 candidates reacted to Maine shooting

01:31 , Graeme Massie

Candidates seeking the White House in 2024 offered commentary about gun violence in America after 18 people were killed in a mass shooting in Maine.

Watch: Maine state rep says streets ‘eerily quiet’ amid shelter-in-place order

01:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Maine police say they are executing warrant

01:08 , Graeme Massie

“Law enforcement officials are currently on Meadow Road in Bowdoin to execute several search warrants. The announcements being heard over a loud speaker are standard search warrant announcements when executing a warrant to ensure the safety of all involved,” said Maine State Police on Thursday evening.

Maine officials say they don’t know if Card in house

01:00 , Graeme Massie

A Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson, Shannon Moss, told CNN that law enforcement is “not positive Robert Card is in this house,” and that police were “simply doing our due diligence.”

Maine Gun Safety Coalition calls for assault weapons ban

00:55 , Oliver O'Connell

Camilla Shannon, board chair of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, released the following statement:

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition grieves with the families and friends who lost loved ones in the mass shooting last night. We watched in horror as the tragedy in Lewiston, Maine happened before our eyes – the result of our weak gun laws. We call on our elected officials tonight to stop bowing to the gun lobby and look squarely at the face of what has happened in Maine’s second largest city. At a minimum, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition believes an assault weapons ban is necessary to try to prevent more such tragedies in our state.

Police outside Card’s house demanding he comes out

00:43 , Graeme Massie

Stunned relative of Robert Card speaks out

00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card’s sister-in-law has added some colour to the reports of the 40-year-old’s current state of mind.

After US Army reservist Mr Card was accused of killing 18 people on Wednesday night — and while a manhunt for the Bowdoin resident remains underway — Karen Card spoke out about her brother-in-law toThe Daily Beast.

Ms Card, who is married to the suspect’s brother, said that she has known the suspect her “whole life”.

“He is quiet but the most loving, hardworking, and kind person that I know,” she said on Thursday.

“But in the past year, he had an acute episode of mental health, and it’s been a struggle.”

Robert Card’s ties to Maine shooting sites revealed by stunned relative

Police appear to be making ‘arrest’ at Robert Card’s home

00:21 , Graeme Massie

CNN reporting that their crew was ordered to turn off lights, while officers could be heard shouting “...under arrest come out with your hands up.”

Officers could be heard shouting for someone to come out and walk to the front of the property and they ordered a person inside to come out of the house “with nothing in their hands” and that their “safety could be guaranteed.”

Susan Collins says high capacity magazines should be banned

00:15 , Graeme Massie

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, told a news conference on Thursday evening that “it is more important that we ban very high-capacity magazines” rather than assault-style weapons.

“I think that would have more input and more effectiveness,” said Ms Collins.

Maine passed a law to try to prevent mass shootings. Some say more is needed after Lewiston killings

00:05 , AP

Barely four years before a gunman’s deadly rampage in Maine, a state that is staunchly protective of gun rights, the governor signed a law aimed at preventing a mass shooting like the one Wednesday night that claimed at least 18 lives.

It was called a “yellow flag” law, different from the “red flag” laws cropping up in other states to seize weapons from gun owners viewed as a threat. In a sign of the pro-Second Amendment mindset in Maine, a gun-rights group helped write the law, and critics said that, while it was a first step toward stronger gun safety measures, the state could save more lives by doing more — like passing a red flag law.

The yellow flag law and permissive gun measures in Maine are coming under greater scrutiny in the aftermath of a massacre that authorities say was carried out by a man who was committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this past summer and had reported “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” a military base.

It was not clear whether anyone had used the yellow flag law in the suspect’s case, but gun-control advocates seized on the tragedy Thursday to blame the death of 18 people in the shooting as a product of “weak gun laws.”

Read more...

Congressman says shooting has changed his mind on assault rifles

23:50 , Graeme Massie

US Rep Jared Golden, a Democrat who represents Lewiston, told a press conference that his opposition to a ban on assault weapons had been a mistake and he had changed his mind on the issue.

“I have opposed calls to ban deadly weapons of war like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime,” Mr Golden said.

“The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure,” he said. “Which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles like the one used by the sick perpetrator of this mass killing.”

Mr Golden asked for the forgiveness of those who had lost loved ones in the mass shooting and his constituents.

A children’s party, an Army Reservist and 18 dead: What we know so far...

23:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Children were playing games at a party in a bowling alley.

Locals were drinking and dining at a restaurant.

It was by all accounts a normal Wednesday night – until it was rocked by the latest horrific act of gun violence in America.

A gunman entered two locations in the town of Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night and opened fire, killing 18 people and injuring 13 others.

Now, a manhunt is underway to catch Robert Card – the “armed and dangerous” suspect wanted in connection to the shootings.

Residents across Maine are hunkering down in their homes and businesses as the search continues for the US Army Reserve firearms instructor who had allegedly threatened to shoot up a National Guard post and had recently complained about hearing voices.

Here’s what we know so far:

Maine mass shooting: What we know after 18 killed in Lewiston

Deaf event caught up in Lewiston bar shooting

23:20 , Oliver O'Connell

American Deaf Cornhole (ADC) has sent its “deepest condolences” to families in Maine, after some of its members were reportedly caught up in the Maine shootings on Wednesday evening.

The organisation, which puts on tournaments of the beanbag game across the country for the Deaf community, urged its members to come together and support one another in the wake of the tragedy.

Eighteen people were killed and 13 left injured after a gunman opened fire at two locations – Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille – in the city of Lewiston on Wednesday night.

It was reported that an event organised by ADC had been going on in Schemengees at the time of the attack.

Mike Bedigan reports.

Deaf cornhole event caught up in deadly Maine shooting

US Senator Susan Collins calls it ‘dark day’ for Maine

23:12 , Graeme Massie

“This heinous attack, which has robbed the lives of at least 18 Mainers and injured so many more, the worst mass shooting that the state of Maine has ever experienced — and could ever imagine,” Senator Collins said at a news conference on Thursday evening.

Robert Card: Everything we know about the suspect in the Maine mass shooting

23:03 , Oliver O'Connell

On Wednesday night the city of Lewiston, Maine, was shaken after a gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar. Police scrambled to find the shooter, urging residents and local businesses to lock down immediately.

Maine law enforcement officials later announced that Robert Card, a 40-year-old Sgt 1st class in the Army Reserve, is wanted as a suspect in the shootings that left 18 dead and 13 others injured.

Here’s what we know so far about the accused gunman:

Robert Card: What we know about suspect in Maine mass shooting

22:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Suspect planned shooting in advance, had hiding spots ready, report says

22:44 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News reports:

Two senior law enforcement sources tell Fox News that the Lewiston, Maine shooting suspect, Robert Card, planned Wednesday night's shooting well in advance and had several hiding spots ready for him to go to.

The sources added that an aircraft with heat-sensing technology is flying above the search area.

According to the sources, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is trying to locate the serial number for the weapon used by Card, and is also trying to locate other guns which he may have obtained legally or illegally. With Card's intense firearm training, the search is more difficult.

Officials with the Department of Justice are also working quickly to discover a motive and trying to determine if the shooting can be classified as a form of domestic terrorism or a hate crime.

Full story: ‘Standoff’ outside Maine shooting suspect Robert Card’s home

22:38 , Oliver O'Connell

A swarm of police officers are said to be surrounding Robert Card’s home in Bowdoin, Maine, according to numerous reports.

Outlets reported hearing loud explosions coming from an address believed to be linked to the suspect with a heavy law enforcement presence outside. It’s unclear if the alarming sounds were caused by flash bangs, guns, or something else entirely.

There are also reports of a helicopter circling over the house.

Kelly Rissman is covering this developing story...

‘Standoff’ outside Maine shooting suspect Robert Card’s home

BREAKING: Developments in manhunt for suspected shooter

22:23 , Oliver O'Connell

Around 430pm on Thursday, it was reported by CNN that a series of loud bangs were heard in the vicinity of Bowdoin, Maine — near suspect Robert Card’s home — and speculation that they may have been flash-bangs used in armed standoffs.

NewsNation reporter Alex Caprariello then posted this video in which a loudspeaker can heard announcing “FBI! Open the door!”

Watch: Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks on Maine shootings

22:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Survivor reveals how he hid from shooter in bowling alley

22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A man who survived the horror mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, has revealed how he hid down a bowling alley lane in a desperate bid to escape the gunman.

Brandon told The Associated Press that he was at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley on Wednesday night when gunfire suddenly erupted in the family-friendly establishment.

“We were inside, just a normal night of bowling. Out of nowhere he just came in and there was a loud pop,” he said.

At first, Brandon said he mistook the noise for balloons popping before he turned and saw the gunman brandishing a rifle inside the bowling alley.

Rachel Sharp reports.

Maine shooting survivor reveals he hid down bowling alley lane

Maine AFL-CIO pays tribute to member and new father Peyton Ross

21:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Coast Guard searches by boat as shooting suspect remains at large

21:34 , AP

Authorities have been searching both on land and water for the suspect in Wednesday’s shootings in Maine that killed 18 people.

The Coast Guard sent out a patrol boat Thursday morning along the Kennebec River. But after hours of searching, authorities found “nothing out of the ordinary,” said Chief Petty Officer Ryan Smith, who is in charge of the Coast Guard’s Boothbay Harbor Station.

The suspect’s car had been discovered by a boat launch near the Androscoggin River, which connects to the Kennebec, and his 15ft (4.5m) boat remains unaccounted for, Smith said.

But he added that officials didn’t have any specific intelligence that the suspect, Robert Card, might have escaped aboard his boat. “We’re just doing our due diligence,” he said.

Hannity said he’d use his MMA skills in a mass shooting

21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Fox News host Sean Hannity used the devastating Lewiston shooting to bring up his own “personal security plan” that he claims he would have used during a similar attack.

The mass shooting happened on Wednesday night in Lewiston, Maine, when a gunman entered two locations and killed 18 people and 13 injured.

Hannity introduced his guest, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, before launching into how he felt that the politics surrounding gun laws always gets brought up after mass shootings.

Amelia Neath reports.

Fox News’ Sean Hannity said he’d use his MMA skills in a mass shooting

Watch: Father of victim speaks to MSNBC

21:21 , Oliver O'Connell

Note found at shooter’s home, report says

20:59 , Oliver O'Connell

Tom Winter of NBC News reports that a note was found in Robert Card’s home as investigators executed a search warrant.

New House Speaker slammed for offering prayers after mass shooting

20:40 , Oliver O'Connell

Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing criticism after simply offering “prayers” following the mass shooting in Maine as he responded to his first major crisis as a top-ranking elected official.

After calling it a “horrific tragedy”, here’s what he said to the media on Thursday morning:

“This is a dark time in America, we have a lot of problems and we’re really, really hopeful and prayerful. Prayer is appropriate in a time like this, that the evil can end and this senseless violence can stop. And so that’s that’s the statement this morning on behalf of the entire House of Representatives. Everyone wants this to end and I’ll leave it there.”

Speaker Mike Johnson slammed for offering prayers after mass shooting

Robert Card’s ties to Maine shooting sites revealed

20:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Maine mass shooting suspect Robert Card’s sister-in-law has added some colour to the reports of the 40-year-old’s current state of mind.

After US Army reservist Mr Card was accused of killing 18 people on Wednesday night — and while a manhunt for the Bowdoin resident remains underway — Karen Card spoke out about her brother-in-law toThe Daily Beast.

Ms Card, who is married to the suspect’s brother, said that she has known the suspect her “whole life”.

“He is quiet but the most loving, hardworking, and kind person that I know,” she said on Thursday.

“But in the past year, he had an acute episode of mental health, and it’s been a struggle.”

Ms Card shed some light on previously reported details about his mental health struggles.

Kelly Rissman has the details.

Robert Card’s ties to Maine shooting sites revealed by stunned relative

Timeline: Maine mass shooting that left 18 people dead

20:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Robert Card, 40, is being sought by local and federal law enforcement after at least 18 people were killed and 13 others were wounded in the deadliest mass shooting of the year.

Parts of Maine, like Lewiston and Bowdoin, are under shelter-in-place advisories, as the community is rattled by the tragedy — and waits for Card to be caught. Police said he should be considered “armed and dangerous”.

He is believed to be carrying a high-powered assault-style rifle and possibly extra ammunition. Investigators are still on the hunt for Card, as of Thursday afternoon.

Kelly Rissman looks at how the tragedy unfolded.

Timeline of the Maine mass shooting that has left 18 people dead

Shelter-in-place order extended across further counties

19:58 , Oliver O'Connell