A manhunt is underway in the state of Maine following a series of mass shootings at a bar and a bowling alley in the town of Lewiston. The death toll is currently unclear, with reports ranging from 16 to 22 victims, and dozens more injured. Law enforcement officials have identified 40-year-old Robert R. Card as a person of interest in the case. Card had reportedly been committed to a mental health facility earlier in the summer and is believed to have a history of mental health issues, including hearing voices. Photographs of Card at one of the crime scenes, holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle, were posted on Facebook by state and local police.

Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck stated that hundreds of police officers are working across the state to locate Card. A white SUV believed to have been driven by Card was found in the town of Lisbon, approximately 7 miles away from Lewiston. As a precautionary measure, residents of both Lewiston and Lisbon have been urged to remain indoors.

According to various media reports, a law enforcement bulletin from the Maine Information & Analysis Center identified Card as a trained firearms instructor and a member of the U.S. Army reserve. The bulletin also mentioned that Card had previously reported mental health issues and had made threats to shoot up a National Guard base. However, the authenticity of the bulletin could not be confirmed.

The shooting spree has sent shockwaves through the largely rural state of Maine. Gun violence prevention advocates have highlighted the state's lack of certain gun safety laws, including assault weapons regulation, universal background checks, and "red flag" laws. Kris Brown, president of Brady, a gun safety advocacy group, expressed dismay, stating that these shootings occurred at places where Americans should feel safe.

Families affected by the shootings gathered at a reunification center in Auburn, the sister city of Lewiston, where they received the devastating news of their loved ones' deaths. Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque informed reporters that officials were conducting interviews with witnesses of all ages at an undisclosed safe location.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and has offered full federal support to Maine. He personally spoke with Governor Janet Mills, Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, and Congressman Jared Golden to express his condolences and solidarity. The White House stated that Biden will continue to receive updates on the investigation.

If the death toll is confirmed at 22, this would be the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since August 2019. The incident has once again brought attention to the issue of gun violence in America, with Biden calling for comprehensive gun law reform that includes bans on assault weapons, universal background checks, and an end to legal immunity for gun manufacturers. The Gun Violence Archive projects that there will be 679 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, based on trends as of July.