The manhunt for Robert Card, a US Army reservist suspected of committing a mass shooting in Maine, has entered its second day. Card is believed to be responsible for the deaths of 18 individuals and the injury of 13 others during the mass shooting.
Authorities have described Card as armed and dangerous and have urged people to seek shelter indoors for their safety.
On Thursday night, law enforcement agencies converged on a residence in Bowdoin, which is approximately a 20-minute drive from Lewiston, where the shooting occurred. The police indicated that they were executing multiple search warrants at the location.
During the operation, loud noises, possibly gunshots or explosive devices, were heard at the scene. Law enforcement officers were heard using a megaphone to instruct the suspect to exit the house with their hands up. However, after several hours, police left the scene.
It remains unclear what prompted the search in Bowdoin, and a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety stated that officers were diligently pursuing all leads to locate and apprehend Card.
The shooting spree began at a bowling alley in Lewiston, a small town, just before 7:00 PM local time. One woman and six men were killed at the bowling alley. Within approximately 10 minutes, reports of gunfire emerged at a nearby restaurant, Schemengees Bar & Grille, where eight more men lost their lives.
Sixteen injured individuals were initially transported to local hospitals, with three of them succumbing to their injuries later.
As a result of the ongoing manhunt and security concerns, Lewiston and three nearby towns are under a shelter-in-place notice. Schools and most local businesses have closed, and this situation is expected to continue into the following day. The streets are patrolled by police officers, and many residents have opted to remain indoors.
The investigation into this tragic incident continues as authorities work to locate and apprehend the suspect, Robert Card.