10-27-2023 11:44am

Maine Mass Shooting

Samantha Hespos Editor

An image of the suspect inside Just-In-Time Recreation released by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office

On the night of October 25, 2023, a tragic shooting spree took place at two separate sites within Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. Tragically, eighteen lives were lost, and thirteen individuals sustained injuries. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office has made public a photograph of the suspect, and a comprehensive search for the perpetrator is currently underway. On October 26, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect, charging them with eight counts of murder.

The shootings commenced at the Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston. The initial emergency calls were reported at 6:56 p.m. EDT, and tragically, seven lives were lost at this site.

Shortly after, at 7:08 p.m., a second shooting incident was reported at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, located approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Just-In-Time. Tragically, eight lives were lost at this location, and an additional three individuals succumbed to their injuries later at a hospital. While there were reports of gunshots at a Walmart distribution center in the vicinity, it was confirmed by the company that a shooting did not take place there.

Around 8:00 p.m., the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office and the Maine State Police issued urgent alerts to residents regarding an active shooter. The sheriff's office also disseminated images of the assailant, who was seen carrying an assault-style weapon.

The Central Maine Medical Center collaborated with nearby hospitals to provide care for the victims of the tragic incident. A number of those injured were transported to the Maine Medical Center in Portland, which is the largest hospital in the state.

In response to the situation, a shelter-in-place order was enforced in Lewiston, and local schools were placed on lockdown. Auburn also issued its own shelter-in-place directive and an additional order for businesses to secure their premises. As a precaution, classes at Central Maine Community College, schools within the Lewiston Public Schools district, and Bates College were canceled on October 26, along with several school districts within a 50-mile radius. The shelter-in-place advisory was extended to Bowdoin on October 26. Furthermore, Bates College postponed its presidential inauguration, originally slated for October 27, until further notice.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) extended their support to local authorities. On October 26, the Maine State Police, in conjunction with Governor Janet Mills, confirmed the total number of victims and also revealed that an arrest warrant had been issued for the suspect, who is now facing eight counts of murder.

On October 27, Michael Sauschuck, the Maine public safety commissioner, announced that law enforcement would deploy dive teams and Sonar ROVs to investigate underwater areas near the site where the suspect's vehicle was found, in addition to utilizing air support and ground teams. It's important to note that Sauschuck emphasized that they do not have definitive information regarding the suspect's means of escape, stating, "I'm not saying we know the suspect is in the water."

On October 25, a person of interest was identified by the police, although initially not labeled as a suspect. The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released images of a white male and a white 2013 Subaru Outback associated with the shootings in an effort to locate this individual, who was described as "armed and dangerous." Subsequently, the vehicle was located in Lisbon, Maine. On October 26, the person of interest was officially designated as a suspect. It's noteworthy that the suspect is a sergeant first class in the United States Army Reserve, having enlisted in December 2002. An army spokesperson confirmed the suspect's reserve membership but stated that they had no active deployments.

On July 16, 2023, fellow service members who were training with the suspect at West Point observed his erratic behavior and requested law enforcement assistance. The New York State Police promptly responded to this report and transported him to the Keller Army Community Hospital on the academy's grounds, where he was placed under medical evaluation for a two-week period. According to the suspect's sister-in-law, who shared details with NBC News, the suspect began experiencing auditory hallucinations when he received "high-powered hearing aids." She noted that he started hearing voices he had never heard before, and his mind distorted these voices, causing him distress and humiliation.

Mayor Carl Sheline expressed his deep sorrow for Lewiston, stating that he was "heartbroken." The mayor of Auburn, Lewiston's sister city, affirmed their commitment to resolving the situation, saying, "We will work to bring this situation to a resolution." Maine Governor Janet Mills urged residents to heed the instructions provided by law enforcement.

Senator Angus King of Maine shared on Twitter that he was "profoundly saddened." Senator Susan Collins of Maine remarked, "This is the darkest day in Maine's history during my lifetime." U.S. Representatives Jared Golden, who represents Lewiston, and Chellie Pingree, both from Maine, released statements expressing their shock at the tragic events.

Golden also announced his support for an assault weapons ban, reversing his previous position. On October 25, President Joe Biden reached out to several Maine lawmakers to offer comprehensive federal support. On October 26, he ordered that flags be lowered to half-mast for five days as "a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence in Lewiston, Maine." In a subsequent statement, President Biden called on lawmakers to enact an assault weapons ban and introduce more comprehensive gun control laws, stressing that such violence is "not normal and unacceptable" and that current safety measures are "simply insufficient."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mass_shootings_in_the_United_States