At least 22 dead, up to 60 wounded in mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston public schools closed tomorrow

Public schools in Lewiston will be closed tomorrow, the district’s superintendent announced.

“There remains a lot of unknowns at this time. Information moves quickly but not alway accurately,” Jake Langlais, the superintendent, said in a message on the district’s website. “Please continue to shelter in place or get to safety. We will continue to update you with information and next steps as appropriate.”

“Stay close to your loved ones. Embrace them. Our prayers go out to those who lost someone tonight,” he added.

Map: Lewiston, Maine

Lewiston is a city of about 38,000 people located a 45-minute drive north of Portland, Maine.

Number of dead is almost or more than total homicides in state most years

The believed death toll of 22 in tonight’s shooting is almost or more than the annual number of homicides in all of Maine.

Last year there were 29 homicides in Maine, which has a population of almost 1.4 million, according to statistics from the State Department of Public Safety. In 2020, there were 20.

Recent earlier years had similar numbers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of around the high teens to the low 20s.

Law enforcement trying to ‘eliminate the active killer or killers’, former ATF agent says

“This is a very active and dynamic situation. The image of at least one active killer has been released by police. He is armed with a tactical rifle,” NBC News law enforcement contributor Jim Cavanaugh, a former special agent in the ATF, said in a text message.

“Law Enforcement is now swarming the area attempting to locate, isolate and eliminate the active killer or killers,” he said.

22 dead, dozens wounded in shootings

At least 22 people were killed in the shootings, according to a Lewiston police source.

Fifty to 60 people were wounded after a man fired at several locations, including a Lewiston bowling alley, said four law enforcement officials briefed on the matter.

The officials said the numbers were preliminary and could change.

There were no initial signs of terrorism.

Biden briefed on Maine active shooter incident

Monica Alba

President Joe Biden has been briefed on what’s known so far about the active shooting incident in Lewiston, Maine, and “will continue to receive updates,” a senior White House official said.

He received an initial briefing earlier this evening. He’s currently at the State Dinner with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. 

Police release image of vehicle

Police in Lewiston released a photo of a vehicle they are looking for in the shooting investigation.

Maine senator says he’s ‘deeply sad,’ urges residents to stay indoors

Sen. Angus King of Maine, a political independent who was previously the state’s governor, reacted on X:

Woman told to leave nearby building: ‘We’re cold, we’re worried’

A woman evacuated from a nearby building in Lewiston described “police with long guns running around” at an industrial park where Sparetime Recreation is located.

Mary Ellen Davis said in a phone interview with NBC affiliate WCSH of Portland said that everyone she is with is fine.

“We’re cold, we’re worried,” she said.

Police evacuated her and others from building in the area, she told the station.

ATF Boston agents responding

Agents with the Boston branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are responding to the active shooter event, the field office said on X.

Central Maine Medical Center responding to ‘mass casualty’ event

Central Maine Medical Center, a health care complex in Lewiston, said it was “reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event.”

The medical center said it had “no specifics to share on the number of casualties.”

Lewiston police report active shooter incident, identify 2 places

Lewiston police said on social media that they were dealing with an active shooter and identified two businesses.

“We are currently dealing with an active shooter incident (Schemengees and Sparetime Recreation). Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders access to the hospitals,” police said on Facebook.

NBC affiliate WCSH of Portland, citing a police official, also reported those locations.

Schemengees appears to be a bar and restaurant, and Sparetime Recreation appears to be a bowling center, according to their websites.

City says ‘stay inside with doors locked,’ identifies 3 locations police are investigating

The city of Lewiston issued a shelter-in-place order and identified three areas where police were investigating.

“The target of the manhunt is reportedly connected with shootings that occurred in on Goddard Road, Mollison Way and 500 block of Lincoln Street. Officials say the suspect may be armed,” the city government said in a statement.

The city said people should “stay inside with doors locked” and not approach unfamiliar people.

City of Auburn also tells people to shelter in place

The city of Auburn, which is adjacent to Lewiston, said there is an active shooter incident in Lewiston and told people there to shelter in place.

“ALL Auburn & Lewiston residents are strongly urged to shelter in place, lock all doors & report suspicious individuals and activities to 9-1-1. Most businesses in the area have closed/are closing,” Auburn said on social media.

Gov. Janet Mills says she has been briefed on shooting

Authorities release photo of man with rifle

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office released photos of a man with a rifle and said it was “investigating two active shooter events.”

Law enforcement in Maine warns of active shooter, tells people to shelter

Maine State Police said tonight they were investigating an “active shooter” in Lewiston and urged people to shelter in place.

State police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office alerted people on social media shortly after 8 p.m.

Further details were not immediately available.