More than 20 reported dead in Maine mass shooting

A mass shooting suspect in Lewiston, Maine, who reportedly killed more than 20 people and wounded up to 60 was still at large late Wednesday.

A photo of the suspect shown carrying an automatic weapon was released on social media after he opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar in the state's second-largest city.

Some social media websites, based on a photo of the suspect and his vehicle, have identified the suspect as Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, Maine, an Army veteran. The suspect was reportedly last seen driving a white 2013 Subaru Outback with the license plate 9246PD. News reports said the car was recovered by police.

David Begnaud, a national correspondent for CBS News, wrote on X: "BREAKING from CBS News: MAINE LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN: Maine State Police … attempting to locate Robert Card as a person of interest."

Lewiston police said in an earlier Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille, and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) away.

Local newspaper the Sun Journal, citing a Lewiston police spokesperson, reported shootings at a third location, a Walmart distribution center.

A Lewiston city administrator confirmed the death toll, the Sun Journal reported.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released two photos of the suspect on its Facebook page that showed a gunman walking into an establishment with a weapon raised to his shoulder.

The FBI Boston Division said in a statement that it was working with local, state and federal law enforcement officials in response to the shootings.

On its website, Central Maine Medical Center said staff were "reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event" and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients.

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said in a statement: "I am heartbroken for our city and our people. Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come."

US Representative Chellie Pingree, a Maine Democrat, told The New York Times: "There's no large cities in Maine, so this isn't like being in Dallas or New York City. It's a very tight-knit community in spite of the fact that it's a city, and I'm just sure there's just an enormous number of grieving families. People who went out bowling or went out to eat and didn't expect anything like this to happen."

Lewiston's population was listed as slightly above 37,000 in the 2020 census.

Melinda Small, the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill, said her staff immediately locked their doors and moved all 25 customers and employees away from the doors after a customer reported hearing about the shooting at the bowling alley less than a quarter-mile away around 7 pm.

"I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe," Small told The Associated Press. "But the same time, my heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb."

"We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate," the sheriff's office reported.

A spokesperson for Maine Department of Public Safety urged residents to stay in their homes with their doors locked.

Governor Janet Mills released a statement echoing those instructions. She said she has been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials. The White House said President Joe Biden also had been briefed.

US Senator Angus King of Maine, an independent, said he was "deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbors" and was monitoring the situation.

Agencies contributed to this story.