DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
Police say suspect, who remains at large, targeted businesses in Lewiston including a bar and bowling alley.
At least 16 people have been killed and dozens wounded after a gunman went on a shooting spree in the northeastern state of Maine in the United States.
Two law enforcement officials in the city of Lewiston told The Associated Press news agency on condition of anonymity that the death toll from the attack was likely to rise.
US media outlet NBC News, citing an unnamed Lewiston law enforcement official, said at least 22 people had been killed and as many as 60 wounded in the attack.
State and local police said that they were searching for a suspect who remained at large. They did not say how many people had been killed or hurt. About 39,000 people live in Lewiston.
The Lewiston Police Department released a photo on its Facebook page of the suspect, named as Robert Card.
“CARD should be considered armed and dangerous,” they wrote.
Police earlier shared two photos of a bearded man in a long-sleeved brown shirt and dark combat trousers with a rifle raised to his shoulder.
“There is an active shooter in Lewiston,” Maine state police said on the social media platform X. “We ask people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked. Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations.”
The gunman targeted a bar, a bowling alley and a Walmart distribution centre, according to the local Sun Journal newspaper.
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.
Maine State Police were planning to hold a news conference on the attack later on Wednesday night.
Angus King, an independent senator for Maine who is currently in Washington, DC, said he was “deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbours” and was monitoring the situation.
