26 October 2023 , 09:08
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A hero retired cop saved the lives of "many people" during the horror rampage of a gunman who killed 18.
A huge manhunt is underway for an Army reserve firearms instructor, who has been named as a suspect after at least 18 people were shot dead and up to 13 more were injured across three locations.
The suspect, Robert Card, has left Lewiston, Maine, dealing with the aftermath of a night of horror, which saw a bowling alley hosting a children's league and a popular bar targeted. One retired police officer, Riley Dumont, was at the targeted bowling alley where a kids party was underway.
Dumont told ABC her daughter was bowling in a children's bowling league when she heard several shots. "I heard a really loud bang. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but my dad looked at me," Dumont said. "My dad is a retired police officer."
She said that thanks to her father’s quick thinking and speedy action, he may have saved many lives. She added: “Next thing I know, he was just taking the group that we were in and just corralling us in the corner. He put tables over us and just made sure we were safe. He just kind of went into action at that point. It felt like it lasted forever.”
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Robert Card has been named as a suspect (Androscoggin County Sheriff's Of)“I kind of laid on top of (my daughter), and my mom was kind of on top of me. We had two other kids with us and two other mothers as well.” Exact figures for the amount of casualties have not been given, but the mother said she saw several bodies inside the hall.
The mass-shooter, armed with an AR 15-style rifle, is now on the run. Card was sectioned earlier this year with mental health struggles, after claiming he was hearing voices, and threatening to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, Maine. Pictures of the suspect armed with a rifle have been released by the police, showing a man stalking into a business with a weapon shouldered ready to fire. 40-year-old Robert Card, is believed to be at large and has a car.
Law enforcement sources confirmed 18 have been killed with dozens more injured. Police are warning people to stay in their homes and lock their doors. Local schools will be closed tomorrow.
READ MORE: Maine shooting UPDATES: Robert Card named as suspect after 18 killed in horror attack
Horror footage shows people running from scene of mass shooting (SKY news)Local fire rescue services have confirmed it as mass casualty event across multiple scenes. Two scenes identified so far are popular nighttime spots - bowling alley Sparetime Recreation, where a local children's league was taking place, and Schemengees bar. A local school, where a parent teachers conference was being held, has also gone into lockdown.
A local school has been turned into a reunification centre where those involved are being reunited with their families.
Mayor Jason Levesque confirmed to CNN that there are children at the centre. He said: "There were a couple, with their parents thankfully. Everything here is traumatic. There were some youths that were injured. Hopefully we will find out more as the night goes on." Asked the ages of people who were at the bowling alley, he replied: "Anywhere from 12 to 90 and everywhere in between." He said he wasn't aware of any children who have lost their lives, but said he knew a 17-year-old has been wounded.
Armed police are searching for the suspect (CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Local councillor Robert McCarthy has said a children's bowling party was taking place at Sparetime at the time. Residents in Lewiston and Lisbon, where Card's car was recovered, have been ordered to shelter in place and schools have closed while the suspect remains at large. Authorities have opened a reunification center at Auburn Middle School.
Card's sister-in-law has spoken to The Daily Beast - saying that the family are in shock following the overnight events. ''I am with police right now and my children [are] terrified and shaken, so I do not have a comment on anything right now,'' she said.
Owner of the bowling alley Justin Juray described the horrific scene as 'total chaos.'
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Speaking to the The New York Times there was about 100 to 150 people, including 20 children, at the bowling alley at the time of the shooting.
Armed law enforcement officials guard the ambulance entrance to the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine (AFP via Getty Images)Meanwhile at Schemengees, it was a cornhole night, said co-owner Kathy Lebel. She said: ''It was just a fun night playing cornhole… it's the last thing you're expecting, right?" She told Th e Sun Journal : 'I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare.''
The target of the manhunt is reportedly connected with firearm incidents at three locations - Goddard Road, where a Walmart Distribution Centre is, Mollison Way, where Sparetime Recreation is, and 500 block of Lincoln Street, where Schemengees bar is, police say.
Police released a picture of a 2013 white Subaru Outback, believed to be being used by the suspect. Residents are warned: "Officials say the suspect may be armed. Avoid the area until authorities give the all-clear. "Seek alternative routes to circumvent the area and any disruptions. If already operating in the affected region, adhere to all instructions issued by local officials, including this shelter-in-place order."
The bowling alley where the horror took place (mainesbdc)Footage taken at one of the scene shows terrified people running for cover. State police are assisting local police with the incident. The situation is still believed to be active. A statement from police read: "Department is issuing a SHELTER-IN-PLACE order for the City of Lewiston effective immediately. "Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for Lewiston, Maine as of 8pm on Wednesday October 25 amid a manhunt in the area. Officials have instructed people in the area to "stay inside with doors locked" and refrain from approaching unfamiliar individuals."
Emergency services are rushing to the scene. One local wrote on social media: "The police and ambulances are still flying down the roads and the chopper just flew over". Lewiston schools were on lockdown while a parent-teacher conference was going on.
“All, please get to a safe place if you are at or near a school for conferences we are going into lockdowns,” Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais said. “I will provide more information as soon as it is available and appropriate. Right now, we need to let law enforcement do what they need to do.” The alert was made shortly after 8pm as the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office reported that law enforcement agencies were investigating "two active shooter events." The sheriff's office said the suspect was still at large.