Police in the U.S. state of Maine launched an extensive manhunt on Thursday for a shooter responsible for the tragic loss of life, leaving at least 16 people dead at a bowling alley and a bar. This incident stands as the deadliest mass shooting to date in America this year.
Numerous individuals were also reported injured during this rampage in the small town of Lewiston. As an exact death toll was not yet available, local officials estimated the number of fatalities to be between 16 and 22.
In response to this crisis, Lewiston was placed under lockdown on Thursday morning, with schools closed and residents advised to stay indoors for their safety.
Law enforcement authorities are actively seeking an individual named Robert Card, who was captured in surveillance footage entering the Lewiston bowling alley with a semi-automatic rifle equipped with an extended clip. He is to be considered armed and dangerous.
Images of terrified individuals fleeing the scene after the shooting began on Wednesday evening have been widely broadcast by news outlets.
One survivor, whose identity was not disclosed, recounted his experience to CNN, stating that he was within 15 feet (5 meters) of the gunman when the attack unfolded. Initially, he thought it was the sound of a balloon popping. Realizing the true nature of the situation, he sought refuge by hiding near the pins and climbing onto the machines, where he remained for about 10 minutes until law enforcement arrived.
Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Reports vary regarding the number of casualties, with Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy suggesting that as many as 22 people may have lost their lives, while others estimate the toll at 16.
Maine public safety official Mike Sauschuck declined to provide an official death toll, describing the situation as “very fluid.” He confirmed that law enforcement officers were saturating the streets in their efforts to locate the gunman.
President Joe Biden interrupted a state dinner honoring Australia’s prime minister to reach out to Maine’s governor, its two senators, and a local congressman, offering federal support, as per the White House.
The tragedy unfolded when police and emergency responders were called to the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley around 7:15 pm (00:15 Thursday GMT) in response to an active shooter. Subsequently, reports emerged of another shooting at the Schemengees Bar & Grille.
Photographs of the 40-year-old Card at the bowling alley were released by the police, showing him appearing calm and composed as he entered the establishment with his rifle raised.
Riley Dumont, another survivor, detailed how she and her family sought refuge in a corner of the bowling venue, taking cover behind tables and a bench. The ordeal felt interminable, with people around them sobbing and crying.
Law enforcement officers reported finding a “vehicle of interest” they had been seeking – a white sport utility vehicle (SUV) – in the nearby town of Lisbon, approximately eight miles (12 kilometers) from Lewiston. Residents in Lisbon were also cautioned to remain off the streets, though Card was not found in the vehicle, according to reports.
This incident ranks as one of the deadliest in the United States since the tragic 2017 mass shooting during a music festival in Las Vegas, where approximately 60 people lost their lives.
Gun violence remains a pervasive issue in the United States, a nation with more guns than people, and efforts to implement stricter gun control measures are consistently met with strong resistance, especially from Republican quarters who staunchly defend the constitutional right to bear arms.
The unfortunate political gridlock continues despite widespread public outcry over recurrent instances of gun violence.
Lewiston, the second most populous city in Maine, is located approximately 30 miles north of the state’s largest city, Portland.
Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team
Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is the team responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing news and feature content on Julian Daily Gist. Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories. We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, and responsibly sourced information.
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team researches, writes, edits, and publishes news and feature content covering Nigerian current affairs, entertainment, sports, health, business, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide accurate, timely, and responsibly sourced information and update our reports when credible new information becomes available.
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist.
Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available.
We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story.
Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories.
Team BIo:
The Julian Daily Gist Editorial Team is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and publishing content across Julian Daily Gist.
Our coverage includes Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, and human-interest stories.
We aim to provide readers with timely, accurate, useful, and responsibly sourced information. Our team makes reasonable efforts to verify important information, identify sources, distinguish allegations from confirmed facts, and update reports when credible new information becomes available.
We also believe in transparency and accountability. Readers can contact our editorial team to report factual errors, request corrections, or provide additional information relevant to a published story.
Editorial focus: News, current affairs, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, health, business, and human-interest stories.
Editorial Policy:
At Julian Daily Gist, our goal is to provide readers with timely, useful, accurate, and responsibly presented news and information.
We cover Nigerian current affairs, politics, business, entertainment, sports, health, lifestyle, human-interest stories, and other topics of interest to our readers.
1. Accuracy and Verification
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published on Julian Daily Gist is accurate and presented in its proper context.
Before publishing a report, our editorial team makes reasonable efforts to:
- Check information against credible sources.
- Verify names, dates, locations, figures, and other important details.
- Attribute information to the appropriate source.
- Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, opinions, and speculation.
- Update stories when credible new information becomes available.
When information cannot be independently verified, we make this clear to readers rather than presenting it as established fact.
2. Sources
We use a range of sources, including:
- Official government statements.
- Police and security agencies.
- Courts and legal documents.
- Government agencies.
- Direct interviews and statements.
- Reputable news organizations.
- Publicly available records.
- Verified social media accounts and statements.
When an article relies substantially on information reported by another publication, we aim to clearly attribute the information to that source.
We do not intentionally present another publication's reporting as our own.
3. Originality
Julian Daily Gist aims to provide original editorial value.
When we report information that has already been published elsewhere, we seek to add value through original writing, context, verification, analysis, additional information, or other useful material.
We do not intentionally copy and republish articles from other websites without appropriate attribution and meaningful editorial contribution.
4. Allegations and Sensitive Claims
When reporting allegations involving individuals or organizations, we make reasonable efforts to clearly identify allegations as allegations.
We avoid presenting unproven accusations as established facts.
Where relevant, we seek or include responses from the person, organization, or representative concerned.
For criminal matters, we recognize that an allegation, arrest, charge, or accusation does not by itself establish guilt.
5. Headlines
Our headlines are intended to accurately reflect the content of our articles.
We aim to avoid deliberately misleading headlines, fabricated claims, or headlines that exaggerate facts simply to generate clicks.
6. Corrections and Updates
We take corrections seriously.
If we discover that an article contains a significant factual error, we may correct or update the article as appropriate.
Readers who identify an error are encouraged to contact us with specific information supporting the correction.
Where appropriate, significant corrections or updates may be noted within the article.
7. Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, and other external interests.
Advertising or sponsorship does not automatically influence our editorial decisions or the opinions expressed by our writers.
8. Sponsored and Promotional Content
Where Julian Daily Gist publishes sponsored, paid, or promotional content, we aim to clearly identify it as such.
Sponsored content does not necessarily represent the independent editorial views of Julian Daily Gist.
9. Conflicts of Interest
Our editorial team should avoid situations where personal, financial, or other interests could improperly influence reporting.
Where a relevant conflict of interest exists, we aim to disclose it when appropriate.
10. Use of Images and Other Media
We aim to use images, videos, graphics, and other media responsibly and with appropriate permission, licensing, attribution, or other lawful basis where required.
We do not knowingly use copyrighted material in a manner that infringes the rights of its owner.
If you believe that material published on Julian Daily Gist infringes your copyright, please contact us so that we can review the matter.
11. Artificial Intelligence
We may use technology and artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain editorial tasks, such as research support, proofreading, formatting, transcription, or drafting assistance.
However, AI-generated information is not treated as automatically accurate. Content remains subject to human review, editing, fact-checking, and editorial judgment before publication where appropriate.
We do not intentionally publish fabricated information generated by AI.
12. Privacy and Personal Information
We take reasonable care when handling personal information and avoid publishing unnecessary private information about individuals.
Sensitive personal information is published only when there is a legitimate public-interest reason and where appropriate.
Our handling of visitor information is explained in our Privacy Policy.
13. Opinion and Commentary
Opinion articles and commentary represent the views expressed by the respective writer or contributor.
Where appropriate, opinion content will be identified as commentary, analysis, or opinion so that readers can distinguish it from straightforward news reporting.
14. User-Generated Content
Comments and other material submitted by readers may be moderated.
We reserve the right to remove content that is unlawful, defamatory, abusive, discriminatory, misleading, threatening, spam-related, or otherwise inappropriate.
User comments do not necessarily represent the views of Julian Daily Gist.
15. Our Commitment
We are committed to improving the quality, accuracy, transparency, and usefulness of Julian Daily Gist.
As our publication grows, we will continue reviewing our editorial practices and updating this policy when necessary.
16. Contact and Corrections
If you have a correction, clarification, complaint, copyright concern, or question about our editorial practices, please contact us through our Contact Us page.
