Joe Biden has been briefed on the ongoing active shooter incident in Maine, the White House has revealed – during a visit with Australia’s prime minster.
Biden, 80, received news of the fatal shooting – which has reportedly left at least 22 in Lewiston dead – this evening, but still attended a scheduled State Dinner at the White House with visiting leader Anthony Albanese.
A White House official said the head of state would receive updates as the situation develops – as at least one gunman with an AR 15-style rifle remains at large.
A massive manhunt is now on for the person – or persons – responsible for the fatal shooting, after dozens of shots rang out at two separate locations across the city, leaving up to 60 injured.
The death toll, as of 10pm, is still not confirmed, and cops are still searching for those responsible. Maine’s hospital system, meanwhile, said they were declaring the incident a mass casualty event – but Biden has yet to issue a statement.
Joe Biden has been briefed on the ongoing active shooter incident in Maine, the White House has revealed – during a visit with Australia’s prime minster Anthony Albanese
Police in Lewiston are hunting for this man, pictured at the Sparetime recreation center. The first call came in for Sparetime at 7:15pm
Meanwhile, even Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, tweeted his condolences, while expressing anger over the nation’s most recent mass shooting.
‘Devastating news out of Maine,’ The Democrat wrote of the still developing situation, ‘A mass shooting. Multiple locations. At least 16 dead, 50 injured, and thousands of lives forever changed,’ he wrote on X.
‘We don’t have to live like this, and we definitely don’t have to die like this.’
A photo issued by sheriffs showed a white man with an AR-15-style rifle and a laser optic entering the Sparetime recreation center, wearing black combat trousers and a brown top. His face is clearly visible. The neighboring city of Auburn has also been placed on lockdown.
Police in Lewiston have also issued a photo of the white car they are seeking, saying it could have a black-painted bumper.
‘There is an active shooter situation in the city of Lewiston,’ said Maine state police.
‘Law enforcement is asking people to shelter in place. Please stay inside your home with the doors locked.’
The local hospital said at 9pm they could not confirm casualties.
Devastating news out of Maine.
A mass shooting. Multiple locations. At least 16 dead, 50 injured, and thousands of lives forever changed.
We don’t have to live like this, and we definitely don’t have to die like this. https://t.co/NXptIyKKB7
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 26, 2023
‘Central Maine Healthcare is coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients,’ the hospital said.
Police audio said the two locations were Schemengee’s bar and grill, and Sparetime recreation center. The two sites are around four miles apart, in Maine’s second-largest city.
Police were then called to a third location, a Walmart distribution center, said Derrick St. Laurent, a Lewiston spokesman.