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2023 Lewiston shootings

Coordinates: 44°06′01″N 70°12′13″W / 44.1002°N 70.2036°W / 44.1002; -70.2036
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2023 Lewiston shootings
Part of mass shootings in the United States
An image of the person of interest released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office
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LocationLewiston, Maine, U.S.
DateOctober 25, 2023; 12 months ago (2023-10-25)
7:15 – 8:15 p.m.[1] (EDT)
Attack type
Mass shooting, spree shooting, mass murder
Deaths22
Injured50+

On October 25, 2023, a mass shooting occurred in at least two locations in Lewiston, Maine, United States. At least 22 people were killed, and dozens more were injured. The Lewiston Police Department released a photo of a person of interest while a manhunt is still ongoing.

Shootings

At approximately 7:15 p.m. EDT, police, fire, and rescue personnel arrived at Sparetime Recreation, a family restaurant and bowling alley, after a report of an active shooter.[2] Shortly after, a second shooting was reported at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant. Gunshots were reported at a Walmart distribution center in the area, but a shooting did not occur there, according to the company.[1][3]

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office and Maine State Police alerted residents of an active shooter at approximately 8:00 p.m.[4] The sheriff's office released images of the shooter using a "high-powered assault-style rifle."[5]

The Central Maine Medical Center began coordinating with local area hospitals to take in victims.[6] Several victims were taken to Maine Medical Center, the state's largest medical center; the hospital is on lockdown.[7]

Aftermath

A shelter-in-place order was put into effect in Lewiston, and schools were put on lockdown,[8] including Bates College.[9] Auburn issued its own shelter-in-place order and another order for businesses to lockdown.[10] The Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston said it was coordinating with area hospitals to receive patients in reaction to a "mass casualty, mass shooter event."[11]

Classes at Central Maine Community College and schools in the Lewiston Public Schools district will be canceled for the following day in response to the shooting.[12][13]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)[14] are assisting local authorities.[15]

Victims

At least 22 people were killed, and 50–60 people were injured.[16][17] In addition to the shooting being the deadliest in Maine history, and the deadliest in the US since the 2019 El Paso shooting, its death toll also exceeded the annual number of homicides reported in the state in previous years.[18]

Person of interest

According to the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office, as of October 25, the person of interest remains at large and is "armed and dangerous."[19] Pictures of the person of interest, a White male, and a white 2013 Subaru Outback connected to the shootings[20] were released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office in an effort to identify the person.[21]

According to NBC News chief justice contributor Jonathan Dienst, police are believed to have the identity of the person of interest.[22] Former ATF agent Jim Cavanaugh said that law enforcement will attempt to "eliminate the active killer or killers".[23]

A person of interest was identified by police during a press conference, but he was not labeled a suspect.[24]

Reactions

Local

Mayor Carl Sheline said that he was "heartbroken" for Lewiston.[25] Senator Angus King wrote on Twitter that he was "deeply sad".[26] Lewiston City Councilor Robert McCarthy, whose home is located less than a mile from the location of one of the shootings, recalled the incident as "a real scary event."[27] Maine's U.S. representatives, Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, both released statements expressing shock at the events.[28] Governor Janet Mills was briefed on the shootings and urged residents to follow law enforcement instructions.[29] The mayor of Auburn, Maine, made a statement, saying that "we will get this situation settled."[30]

Federal

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting while hosting a state dinner at the White House for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia.[31] He stepped away from the dinner to meet with his advisors[32] and called several Maine lawmakers to offer full federal support.[33]

Attorney General Merrick Garland was also briefed.[34]

Organizations

Gun control organization Everytown for Gun Safety condemned the shooting.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Hoffman, Marla (October 25, 2023). "Multiple victims reported following shootings in Lewiston". Sun Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Smart, Sara; Miller, John (October 26, 2023). "16 people dead and suspect at large after shootings in area of Lewiston, Maine, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "No shooting at Walmart distribution center despite early reports of gunfire there". NBC News. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Helsel, Phil (October 25, 2023). "Law enforcement in Maine warns of active shooter, tells people to shelter". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  5. ^ Prasad, Ritu (October 26, 2023). "22 people dead and suspect at large after shootings in area of Lewiston, Maine, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Lynch, Jamiel; Clarkson, Cara-Lynn (October 25, 2023). "Medical center confirms response to mass casualty event". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  7. ^ Higgins, Eoin (October 25, 2023). "Some of the injured are being taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, a Level 1 trauma center and the state's largest hospital". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  8. ^ Smart, Sara; Sutton, Joe (October 25, 2023). "Maine State Police ask residents to shelter in place as active shooter situation continues". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Buescher, Maple (October 25, 2023). "Bates College, a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, is on lockdown". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  10. ^ Lynch, Jamiel (October 25, 2023). "City of Auburn issues shelter in place due to active shooter incident". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Trotta, Daniel; Harte, Julia (October 26, 2023). "At least 22 killed, dozens wounded in Lewiston, Maine shootings - NBC". Reuters. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  12. ^ Albeck-Ripka, Livia (October 25, 2023). "Jake Langlais, the superintendent of Lewiston Public Schools, said on X that classes would be cancelled on Thursday". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  13. ^ Jeong, Andrew (October 25, 2023). "Central Main Community College, located less than two miles from one of the reported scenes of the shootings, will be closed Thursday due to the incident reported in Lewiston, the school said on social media". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Boyette, Chris (October 25, 2023). "ATF is responding to the Lewiston shootings". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Campbell, Josh (October 25, 2023). "FBI offers resources in Maine active shooter situation". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Lash, Jolie; Wordell, Megan (October 25, 2023). "More than 10 dead, dozens injured in Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, sources say". ABC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Smart, Sara; Miller, John (October 25, 2023). "16 people dead and suspect at large after shootings in area of Lewiston, Maine, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "Number of dead is almost or more than total homicides in state most years". NBC News. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Smart, Sara (October 25, 2023). "16 people dead and suspect at large after shootings in Lewiston, Maine, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Lynch, Jamiel (October 25, 2023). "Police release photo of vehicle connected to shootings". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  21. ^ Smart, Sara (October 25, 2023). "Police release images of suspect at large in connection to active shooting in Lewiston". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  22. ^ "Police are said to believe they know identity of shooting suspect". NBC News. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Simeone, Jessica (October 25, 2023). "Law enforcement trying to 'eliminate the active killer or killers', former ATF agent says". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  24. ^ "Public Safety Department commissioner says multiple casualties, but did not confirm number". NBC News. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  25. ^ Sutton, Joe (October 25, 2023). "Lewiston mayor says he is "heartbroken for our city and our people"". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  26. ^ Arkin, Daniel (October 25, 2023). "Maine senator says he's 'deeply sad,' urges residents to stay indoors". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Chowdhury, Maureen (October 26, 2023). "Lewiston councilor recalls shooting as "a real scary event"". CNN. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "Maine lawmakers react to Lewiston mass shootings". CNN. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  29. ^ Sutton, Joe (October 25, 2023). "Maine governor has been briefed on active shooter situation in Lewiston". CNN. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  30. ^ "'We have everybody on board right now,' mayor of adjacent Auburn says". NBC News. October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Alba, Monica (October 25, 2023). "Biden briefed on Maine active shooter incident". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Rogers, Katie (October 25, 2023). "President Biden stepped away from a state dinner honoring Australia tonight for a briefing on the shooting with his advisers, according to a senior administration official, before returning to the event". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  33. ^ Rogers, Katie (October 25, 2023). "Biden called several Maine lawmakers during the state dinner tonight, including Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, and Congressman Jared Golden". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  34. ^ Thrush, Glenn (October 25, 2023). "Attorney General Merrick Garland has been briefed on the shootings and federal law enforcement agencies, including the F.B.I. and A.T.F., are on the scene assisting local authorities, according to officials". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  35. ^ Epstein, Reid (October 25, 2023). "Everytown for Gun Safety, the gun control organization founded by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, released a statement condemning the mass shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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