What we know about the Maine mass shooting

Children were playing games at a birthday party in a bowling alley.

Locals were drinking and dining at a restaurant.

It was by all accounts a normal Wednesday night – until it was rocked by the latest horrific act of gun violence in America.

A gunman entered two locations in the town of Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night and opened fire, killing up to 22 people.

Now, a manhunt is underway to catch Robert Card – the “armed and dangerous” person of interest wanted in connection to the shootings.

Residents across Maine are hunkering down in their homes and businesses as the search continues for the US Army Reserve firearms instructor who had allegedly threatened to shoot up a National Guard post and had recently complained about hearing voices.

Here’s what we know so far:

The shooting

The horror shootings unfolded at around 6.56pm on Wednesday night when a gunman stormed two locations in Lewiston and opened fire on people inside.

The first location targeted was Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley popular among families and children.

Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy said that there was a children’s party going on there at the time.

The second shooting took place around four miles away at the Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant – a large restaurant complete with 10 pool tables and TVs to play major sports events.

The restaurant had posted on Facebook that it was hosting an “industry night” that night.

“INDUSTRY NIGHT TONIGHT!! You work in the bar/restaurant industry? You get 25% your bill !!!!” it said.

Police received reports of shooting incidents and responded to find multiple casualties.

Up to 22 people are feared dead following the mass shootings, with the death toll still “very fluid” at this time.

In a late-night press conference, Maine Public Safety Commissioner Mike Sauschuck refused to give a specific number of fatalities, saying: “This is a very fluid situation. I don’t have firm numbers and when I do, I will be happy to share with you… I don’t think it’s helpful.”

A city councillor told CNN that at least 22 people had been killed while up to 60 others were injured.

A Lewiston police source also initially told NBC News that the death toll stood at 22 – but the outlet later reported that sources had since put the death toll at 15 to 20.

Initial reports had also suggested that there may have been a shooting in a third location at a Walmart Distribution Centre but this later turned out to be incorrect.

Walmart released a statement late on Wednesday saying: “There was no shooting on Walmart’s property. The distribution center was locked down and police searched the facility. They did not find anything and no one was hurt.”

The manhunt

An intensive manhunt is now under way for Robert Card, who has been named as a person of interest in the shootings.

Police identified Mr Card after posting terrifying surveillance footage grabs on Facebook of the shooter entering one of the two locations armed with a rifle.

Lewiston police also shared a photo of a white SUV wanted in connection to the shooting and ask the public to contact authorities if they saw it.

At around 11.30pm, police confirmed that Mr Card’s car had been found in Lisbon – around eight miles from Lewiston – but that he remained missing.

Residents in Auburn, Lewiston and Libson are all being urged to shelter in place and businesses told to shutter as the manhunt continues.

Mr Card has been described as “armed and dangerous” and members of the public have been warned not to approach him if they see him.

Due to Mr Card’s experience as a certified firearms instructor, he is well-trained in the use of firearms.

The gunman

Just hours after the shootings, Robert Card was named as a person of interest by police.

Mr Card, 40, is a US Army Reservist and a certified firearms instructor, meaning he is well-trained in the use of firearms.

Law enforcement officials said that Mr Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco and had reported mental health issues including hearing voices.

He spent two weeks in a mental health facility this summer.

Mr Card’s family members have revealed their shock, with the 40-year-old’s sister-in-law telling The Daily Beast that they are “shaken” by the news.

“I am with police right now and my children [are] terrified and shaken, so I do not have a comment on anything right now,” she said.