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At least 15 people have been killed and another 60 injured after two shooting incidents in Maine, United States.
Police said the shootings, which occurred on Wednesday night, took place at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine’s second-largest city.
The cause of the shootings remains unclear as a manhunt is underway for suspects.
Earlier, Lewiston police identified Robert Card, a 40-year-old certified firearms instructor and a member of the US army reserve, as a person of interest, saying he should be “considered armed and dangerous”.
During a news briefing, Mike Sauschuck, state commissioner for the department of public safety, said Card’s car was found in Lisbon, about eight miles southeast of Lewiston.
Sauschuck asked residents in Lisbon and Lewiston to shelter as the search for the suspect continues.
Following the incident, local schools in the city announced they would cancel classes on Thursday.
“There remains a lot of unknowns at this time. Information moves quickly but not always accurately. Please continue to shelter in place or get to safety. We will continue to update you with information and next steps as appropriate,” Lewiston Public Schools said in a Facebook post.
“Stay close to your loved ones. Embrace them. Our prayers go out to those who lost someone tonight. Our prayers go out to all those working to stop further loss of life.”
The White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shootings and has also spoken on the phone to the state governor, offering full federal support.
Gun violence in the US has continued to claim thousands of lives. In 2022 alone, over 44,000 people were killed with 314 children part of the casualties, according to the gun violence archive.
Mass shootings generally come in the form of public shootings, bar/club incidents, family annihilations, drive-by attacks, workplace shootings, and others without specific categorisations.
Biden has repeatedly called for gun control legislation, urging Republican legislators to join him in putting forward “commonsense reforms”, including a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and an end to legal immunity for gun manufacturers.
