Key events
Officials in Lewiston have just issued a county wide shelter in place order, according to Lee Horton, an editor with the Sun Journal.
Horton wrote on Twitter that his phone had just received the order.
The public safety alert says that updates from officials will be forthcoming.
Schools in Lewiston will not open on Thursday, according to the Supt of Lewiston Public Schools.
Jake Langlais said on Twitter that there remain “a lot of unknowns at this time” and urged people to shelter in place or get to safety.
Hello, There will not be school tomorrow. At this time, there will be no activity at Lewiston Schools Thursday October 26, 2023. There remains a lot of unknowns at this time. Information moves quickly but not always accurately. Please continue to shelter in place or get to safety
— Jake Langlais (@kjlanglais) October 26, 2023
Maine’s Sun Journal has spoken to the co-owner of Schemengees Bar and Grille, a businesses that was reportedly the site of one of the shootings.
Kathy Lebel said she was not at the restaurant at the time of the shooting but was told a person walked into the restaurant and “started shooting.” The staff ran out, she said.
“It was just a fun night playing cornhole … it’s the last thing you’re expecting, right?” Lebel said. “I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare.”
Lewiston Police said in an earlier Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley.
Lewiston is Maine’s second largest city and part of Androscoggin County.
Maine Governor Janet Mills said in a statement she had been briefed on the situation.
Death toll in shooting expected to rise, AP reports citing police officials
The death toll in Lewiston is expected to rise, two law enforcement officials have told the Associated Press news agency.
The officials said multiple people had also been wounded and investigators were still processing the crime scenes and working to gather evidence.
The officials were not authorised to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.
There are currently conflicting reports on the number of fatalities across US media, with some reporting that more than 10 people have been killed.
Maine Senator Angus King, an independent, said he was “deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbors” and was monitoring the situation.
King’s office said the senator would be headed directly home to Maine once the Senate’s final vote is held Thursday afternoon.
Sheriff’s office release picture of suspect
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office has released images of the suspected shooter, saying he remains at large.
The county sheriff asked for the public’s help in identifying the pictured suspect, a bearded man in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans holding a rifle in the firing position.
Maine state police have urged people in Lewiston to shelter in place and stay inside their homes with their doors locked.
The police say that investigations are under way at multiple locations.
There is an active shooter in Lewiston. We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations. If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911. Updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/RrGMG6AvSI
— Maine State Police (@MEStatePolice) October 26, 2023
At least 10 feared dead in Maine shootings, US media report
At least 10 people were feared dead and 50 to 60 wounded in a mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, according to a number of US media reports citing multiple law enforcement sources.
Maine State Police and a county sheriff previously reported there had been an active shooter on Wednesday night but did not provide further details of casualties.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office posted two photographs of the suspect on Facebook, saying he was at large.
The county sheriff asked for the public’s help in identifying the pictured suspect, a bearded man in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans holding a rifle in the firing position.
The Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston issued a statement saying it was “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event” and coordinating with area hospitals to take patients.