LEWISTON, MAINE: Melinda Small is the owner of Legends Sports Bar and Grill, an establishment that is less than a quarter-mile away from the bowling alley, Sparetime Recreations, which was torn up by a mass shooter on October 25.
When a customer reported hearing about the shooting at the bowling alley around 7 pm, the Legends staff locked their doors immediately.
All 25 customers and employees who were present moved away from the doors, Melinda reportedly told the Independent.
Law enforcement officials soon responded to the calls and everyone was safely escorted out of the building by the police, four persons at a time.
“I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe,” said Melinda.
"But (at) the same time, my heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb,” she added.
The shooting at Schemengees Bar and Walmart distribution center
Around 10 pm, officials issued an update for what they described as a manhunt.
The statement read, "Avoid the area until authorities give the all-clear. Seek alternative routes to circumvent the area and any disruptions. If already operating in the affected region, adhere to all instructions issued by local officials, including the shelter-in-place order.”
“We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate,” reported the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office.
Robert Card named as person of interest in Maine shooting
Robert Card, 40, who has been identified by law enforcement as a person of interest in the shooting is a military-trained firearms instructor who was recently committed to a mental health facility, as per a state police bulletin.
The bulletin states that Card has been trained as a firearms instructor at a US Army Reserve training facility in Maine.
Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in the summer of 2023, but specifics over his condition or treatment were not revealed.
The document further states that Card was reportedly hearing voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at the military training base in Saco.
Police are in search of Card as a telephone number listed for him in public records was not in service.
