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 in tonight’s shooting of 22 is almost or more than the annual homicides in all of Maine.
In 2022 there were 29 murders 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 homicides.
Recent earlier years have similar amounts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of around the high teens to low 20s.
Law enforcement attempting 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," Jim Cavanaugh, an NBC News law enforcement contributor and 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
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.
