In a horrifying turn of events on Wednesday night, a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, left at least 22 people dead and numerous others injured. The devastating incident unfolded at various locations, including Sparetime Recreation, Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant, and a Walmart distribution center.
Local authorities responded swiftly to the unfolding crisis, with Maine State Police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office confirming the presence of an active shooter and issuing urgent safety instructions. They urged residents to stay indoors, lock their doors, and remain vigilant.
The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office also released images of a suspect believed to be connected to the shootings, seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual. The suspect is described as a bearded man in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, holding a rifle.
The Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston declared the incident a “mass casualty, mass shooter event” and is collaborating with neighboring hospitals to provide care to the injured.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and is receiving regular updates from Washington. Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed her condolences to the victims and their families and confirmed she had been briefed on the situation.
This tragic incident marks the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since May 2022, when a gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, resulting in the loss of 19 children and two teachers, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
It is worth noting that the United States has witnessed an increase in mass shootings involving four or more victims since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2022, there were 647 such incidents, and based on data trends as of July, it is projected that 679 may occur in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The deadliest mass shooting in US history remains the tragic massacre of 58 people during a country music festival in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman opened fire from a high-rise hotel room.
