At least 18 dead in US mass killing

A video grab of the armed suspect. Pic/AP

A man shot and killed at least 18 people at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday and then fled into the night, sparking a massive search by hundreds of officers while frightened residents stayed locked in their homes.

A police bulletin identified Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest in the attack that sent panicked bowlers scrambling behind pins when shots rang out around 7 pm. Card was described as a firearms instructor believed to be in the Army Reserve and assigned to a training facility in Saco, Maine.

The document, circulated to law enforcement officials, said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023. It did not provide details about his treatment or condition but said Card had reported "hearing voices and threats to shoot up" the military base. A telephone number listed for Card in records was not in service.

Lewiston Police said that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 6.4 km away. One bowler, who identified himself as Brandon, said he heard about 10 shots, thinking the first was a balloon popping. He said he slid down the alley into the pin area and hid in the machinery. Survivors were driven to a middle school in the neighbouring city of Auburn to be reunited with family.

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