LEWISTON — Schools and other facilities in southern Maine remain closed today as a precautionary measure while law enforcement search for the suspect involved in shootings in Lewiston that killed 18 people and injured 13.

At a press conference in Lewiston Thursday morning, local, state and federal law enforcement updated the public on the investigation on Wednesday night’s shooting.

Around 6:56 pm. on Wednesday, a 911 call was received regarding a male shooter at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley in Lewiston said State Police Col. William Ross.  At 7:08, multiple 911 calls were received regarding a male shooter at Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston. Multiple area law enforcement agencies assisted the Lewiston Police Department, said Ross.

 Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin, who last night was considered a person of interest, is now a suspect in the Lewiston shootings with a warrant out for his arrest, say authorities.

Eight of the people who died as a result of the shootings have been identified, said Ross. Currently there is an arrest warrant for 8 counts of murder, and that number is expected to increase to 18 as more deceased are identified, he said.

Card’s white Subaru was located at 9:56 this morning at the Pejepscot Boat Launch in Lisbon, said Ross.

People in Lewiston, Lisbon and Bowdoin have been asked to shelter in place.

“Our reality today is that this suspect is still at large,” said Mike Sauschuck, director of the state Department of Public Safety.

If anyone in the public sees Card, they should not approach him but should instead call 911.

“He is considered armed and dangerous,” said Ross.

 Public Information Officer, Maine Department of Public Safety, Shannon Moss said there are more than 350 law enforcement personnel, from state, local and national agencies, involved in the search for Card.  

“This is a dark day for Maine,” said Governor Janet Mills. Mills said that she and President Joe Biden have ordered flags across the state to remain at half-staff for five days in honor of the victims of the shootings.

Card’s mental health and background were not addressed at Thursday morning’s press conference, but a bulletin issued by the Maine Information and Analysis Center, a database for law enforcement officials, said Card was a trained firearms instructor and was believed to be in the Army Reserve stationed out of Saco. Card had recently reported mental health issues, including hearing voices and made threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, according to the bulletin. He was committed to a mental health facility in the summer of 2023 for two weeks.

Locally, schools in Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Biddeford and Dayton will remain closed today. Jeremy Ray, superintendent of Schools in Biddeford, Saco and Dayton, provided a list of mental health resources for families.

Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant and City Manager James Bennett issued a joint statement in response to Wednesday night’s tragic event in Lewiston.

“Today, we offer our thoughts and support to our neighbors in Lewiston while they are mourning a senseless attack and loss of life. Our hearts ache for the victims and their families and friends during this incredibly tragic time. Maine is a close-knit state and many of our friends, family members and colleagues will have had their lives forever changed by this event. We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one,” said Casavant and Bennett. “We also express our gratitude to our first responders, who have experienced unimaginable trauma as they work to prevent further loss of life. We know, all too well, the difficulties that our Police, Fire and EMS responders experience in their professions on a daily basis. It takes unfathomable strength to continue forward in this field knowing that tragedies such as this one can happen any day on the job. We are grateful for their service and their sacrifices.”

Casavant and Bennett said if there is an immediate threat in Biddeford, the city will provide instructions and updates for residents on its online platforms.

Likewise in Old Orchard Beach, town officials said they are staying in contact with the police department, and if a threat reaches Old Orchard Beach, information on what steps to take will be posted on social media, town signs and the town website.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of Lewiston, and all impacted towns. This tragic event has hurt many all over Maine. We ask that you keep all law enforcement, first responders, medical personnel and all those working tirelessly to help victims, families and to find this person of interest in your thoughts and prayers,” said the town in a statement on social media.

Old Orchard Beach Town Hall is closed today, and in Saco, the community center is closed and all Saco Parks and Recreation department programing is canceled.

"We are disheartened and disgusted by the acts of violence that occurred in Lewiston last night," said Saco Mayor William Doyle in a statement. "We are grieving for the loss of life and widespread impacts to the community, and our hearts go out to all those affected."

The Saco Police Department and city staff said in the statement that they are working with regional and state agencies, as well as local schools to lend any assistance they can.

In Saco, the Dyer Library and Saco Museum will remain closed today, as is the Libby Memorial Library in Old Orchard Beach and the McArthur Library in Biddeford. The University of New England announced that its campuses in Biddeford and Portland were closed as well.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.