At least 16 people were killed in shootings in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night, several law enforcement officials said, but they cautioned that the death toll could be higher than 20.
Multiple sources said at least 50 people were injured, but it was unclear how many were shot. One suspect was still at large, police said.
Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck told a news conference late on Wednesday, “I don’t have any hard numbers” on the number of people killed.
Authorities are trying to locate 40-year-old Robert Card as a person of interest in the shootings, the Lewiston Police Department said in a Facebook post late Wednesday night. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
According to a Maine law enforcement bulletin seen by CBS News, Card is a trained firearms instructor believed to be in the Army Reserve stationed out of Saco, Maine.
He recently reported mental health problems, including hearing voices, according to the bulletin. He had also threatened to shoot up the National Guard base in Saco, Maine, according to the bulletin, and was reportedly committed to a mental health facility for two weeks this summer.
A vehicle belonging to Card was recovered by police in Lisbon, Maine, which was then placed on lockdown, Sauschuck said. Lisbon is about seven miles southeast of Lewiston.
The shooting began shortly before 7 p.m., Sauschuck said. Maine State Police said shortly after 8 p.m. ET that they were investigating “multiple locations” and asked people to shelter in place.
“Please stay in your home with doors locked,” Maine State Police wrote on social media.
Lewiston police said they were responding to two locations, a restaurant called Schemengee and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley. The two locations appear to be about a 10-minute drive from each other.
Police shared images of a suspect and asked people to contact them “if you recognise this person”.
Police also shared a photo of a white vehicle and asked anyone who recognised it to contact Lewiston police. It was not immediately clear if this was the same vehicle found in Lisbon, but it did match a description from a police bulletin of a vehicle Card was known to be driving.
Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston said in a statement that it was “responding to a mass casualty, mass shooter event”, but had no further details on the number of patients or the severity of their injuries.
Maine Medical Center in Portland said it was receiving “one patient transport” from Central Maine Medical Center in connection with the shootings. The Portland hospital said it had “alerted on-call staff and added critical care and operating room capacity in anticipation of possible patient transports”.
The city of Auburn, Maine, which borders Lewiston to the west, advised residents of both Auburn and Lewiston to shelter in place. Lewiston is about 45 minutes north of Portland.
A White House official confirmed to CBS News that President Biden had been briefed on “what is known so far about the mass shooting in Lewiston”.
A White House official also told CBS News that Mr Biden “stepped out” of a state dinner honouring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “to make calls. He spoke by phone individually with Maine Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, and Representative Jared Golden about the Lewiston shooting. The President offered the full support of the federal government in the wake of this horrific attack.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was also briefed.
“The entire Department of Homeland Security grieves with the loved ones of those killed and injured and stands with the brave law enforcement officers and first responders who are currently working to protect and secure the people of Lewiston,” Mayorkas said in a statement.
Mills issued a statement saying she had been briefed on the situation. “I urge everyone in the area to follow the instructions of state and local law enforcement,” Mills said. “I will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with public safety officials.”
King’s office said in a statement that he was “deeply saddened for the city of Lewiston and all those who are concerned for their family, friends and neighbours”.
Collins noted on social media that she had also spoken to Mr Biden. “As our state mourns this horrific mass shooting, we appreciate the support we’ve received from across the country, including the call I received from President Biden offering his support,” she wrote.