- Biden, 80, received news of the fatal shooting this evening – which left at least 22 dead – but still attended a planned state dinner at the White House
- A White House official said the head of state would receive updates as the situation develops – as at least one man with an AR 15-style rifle remains at large
- A massive manhunt is now underway for the person (or people) responsible for the fatal shooting after dozens of shots rang out at two separate locations in the city
Joe Biden has been briefed on the ongoing active shooter incident in Maine, the White House has revealed – during a visit with Australia’s prime minister.
Biden, 80, received news this evening of the fatal shooting — which reportedly left at least 22 dead in Lewiston — but still attended a planned state dinner at the White House with visiting leader Anthony Albanese.
A White House official said the head of state would receive updates as the situation develops — as at least one shooter with an AR 15-style rifle remains at large.
A massive manhunt is now underway for the person (or persons) responsible for the fatal shooting after dozens of shots rang out at two separate locations in the city, leaving up to 60 people injured.
The death toll as of 10 p.m. is still unconfirmed and police are still searching for those responsible. Maine’s hospital system, meanwhile, said it was declaring the incident a mass casualty event — but Biden has not yet issued a statement.
Joe Biden has been briefed on the ongoing active shooter incident in Maine, the White House has revealed – during a visit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Police in Lewiston are looking for this man pictured at the Sparetime Recreation Center. The first call came in for Sparetime at 7:15 p.m
Meanwhile, even Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, tweeted his condolences while expressing his anger over the country’s latest mass shooting.
“Devastating news from Maine,” the Democrat wrote of the still-developing situation, “a mass shooting. Multiple locations. At least sixteen dead, fifty injured and thousands of lives changed forever,” he wrote on X.
“We don’t have to live like this, and we certainly don’t have to die like this.”
A photo released by sheriffs showed a white man carrying an AR-15-style rifle and a laser optic entering the Sparetime Recreation Center wearing black combat pants and a brown tank top. His face is clearly visible. The neighboring city of Auburn has also been placed on lockdown.
Police in Lewiston also released a photo of the white car they are looking for, saying it may have a black painted bumper.
“There is an active shooting situation in the city of Lewiston,” Maine State Police said.
“Law enforcement is asking people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked.”
The local hospital said at 9 p.m. they could not confirm any casualties.
“Central Maine Healthcare is coordinating with area hospitals to admit patients,” the hospital said.
According to the police audio, the two locations were Schemengee bar and grill and Sparetime leisure centre. The two locations are about four miles apart, in Maine’s second-largest city.
Police were then called to a third location, a Walmart distribution center, said Derrick St. Laurent, a Lewiston spokesman.