Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
LEWISTON, MAINE: At least 20 people have been killed in a mass shooting at different locations in Lewiston, Maine, including Sparetime Recreation, a local bowling alley owned by Spare Time Entertainment.
The shooting unfolded in the bowling alley during its 'Youth Night' event on October 25.
The gunman also opened fire in Schemengees Bar later after his murder spree in the bowling alley. According to law enforcement officials, around 60 people were injured in the shootings in these two locations.
Maine law enforcement officials have named Robert Card, 40, the "person of interest" in the fatal shootings. Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released two images of the shooter carrying a gun on its Facebook page.
Who owns Spare Time Entertainment?
The bowling alley, Sparetime Recreation, is owned by Spare Time Entertainment, Northeast's largest bowling enterprise. It is a private, family-owned company. Formerly known as Bowl New England, it has seventeen family entertainment centers in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest.
The company was founded in 1968 and has its headquarters in Colchester, Vermont.
"If you're looking for fun things to do, a place to play, eat with family and friends, to host your child's birthday party, or to enjoy a night out, check out one of our Spare Time Entertainment Centers today," says the company website.
"At Spare Time, you can eat, bowl, and play arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms, and more — we are your complete entertainment facility. Come experience the fun today!"
Who is Robert Card?
Card, the "person in interest" in connection with the mass shootings, studied engineering at the University of Maine, reported NBC.
University spokesperson Eric Gordon told NBC that Card studied there from 2001 to 2004. However, it needs to be clarified whether he graduated or had dropped out.
According to NBC, the Maine Information and Analysis Center has put out a bulletin saying Card is a "trained firearms instructor and was believed to be in the Army Reserve." This information is yet to be verified by authorities.
Per the report, Card also "recently reported mental health issues to include hearing voices and threats to shoot up the National Guard Base in Saco, ME."
Maine shootings categorized as 'mass casualty' event
With around 60 injured, the local medical center in Lewiston is responding to the shootings as a "mass casualty" event.
"Maine Medical is on lockdown right now awaiting Lewiston patients," the nurse said. "They just called for [emergency department] nurses and critical care nurses to come in, set up three stretchers to each single critical care bay. They just got their first two patients — both gunshot wounds to their thighs," a nurse at the Maine Medical Center told ABC News.
