The governor of the US state of Maine, Democrat Janet Mills, announced this Thursday (26) that the number of deaths in the shooting attack in the city of Lewinston, which took place on Wednesday (25), has risen to 18 .
The shootings took place at a restaurant, Schemengees Bar, and a bowling alley, Sparetime Recreation. Authorities have identified eight victims in Wednesday’s shooting and are working to identify the other 10.
Mills said he was “deeply saddened” to have to share this news during a press conference. She also reported that 13 other people were injured.
“This city did not deserve this terrible attack on its citizens, on their peace of mind, on their sense of security,” said the governor. “No city does this — no state, no people.”
The Democrat said the small state of just 1.3 million people “has long been known as one of the safest states in the country.”
“This attack strikes at the core of who we are,” she added.
“Everyone in Maine is sharing the sadness of the families who lost loved ones last night,” Mills said. “Loved ones: normal people who were killed or injured while relaxing after a day of work, or while spending time with family and friends, socializing.”
Main suspect is a retired soldier
The main suspect of being the shooter is reserve sergeant Robert Card. He is a petroleum supply specialist in the Army Reserve, according to records provided to the CNN this Thursday.
Card enlisted in December 2002 and did not have any combat missions, as his record indicates. He has received standard military awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, two Army Reserve Component Achievement medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
According to Maine Police Colonel William G. Ross, he faces eight counts of murder.
The hunt for Card continues and authorities said Thursday morning that he should be “considered armed and dangerous.”
The police chief of the city of Lisbon, neighboring Lewinston, asked residents to report anything suspicious that occurs in the city to the authorities.
“If you look in your yard and think that door wasn’t open or that trailer wasn’t positioned that way — if you see something suspicious, call us,” he said.
Authorities in Lewiston, Lisbon and Bowdoin issued an order for people to seek shelter in safe locations and asked them not to approach the suspect “under any circumstances.”
See also: Shooting attack leaves dead in the USA
Published by Flávio Ismerim, with information from CNN Internacional
Source: CNN Brasil
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