At least 22 killed in US state Maine shootings

At least 22 people were killed in two mass shootings at a restaurant and a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, US on Wednesday night, one of the city‍‍`s councilors told CNN. 

Another 50 to 60 people were injured, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

An intensive manhunt is underway for a suspect, officials said, and police are asking residents to shelter in place as the situation is ongoing. Lewiston is the state‍‍`s second-largest city which is about 36 miles north of Portland.

Police identified Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest in the shooting, adding he should be “considered armed and dangerous", reports agencies. 

Witnesses of the shootings in Lewiston were of all ages, including teenagers, said Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque, adding that the community was in shock.

Auburn is a city less than 2 miles west of Lewiston.

Speaking to media outside a reunification center, Levesque said there was a lot of fear, panic and worry among residents there.

Authorities across Maine are involved in the ongoing manhunt, with 40-year-old Robert Card identified as a person of interest.

What happened: There were two active shooting incidents in the city of Lewiston — at Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way, and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street, according to Lewiston police. State officials say the shootings began around 6:56 p.m. ET. Eyewitnesses described seeing people running away from the bowling alley. Lewiston is about 36 miles north of Portland and is the state’s second-largest city.

A "person of interest": Lewiston police have identified Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest, saying he should be “considered armed and dangerous." Police are urging the public to contact law enforcement if they have information about Card‍‍`s whereabouts. Law enforcement officials in Maine tell CNN that Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve.

Photo of the person of interest: The sheriff’s office released images of a “suspect for identification.” The person was seen in brown clothing, holding a high-powered assault-style rifle.

The car: Police also shared an image of the vehicle they‍‍`re looking for — a small white SUV with a front bumper believed to be painted black — which Maine State Police confirmed is the suspect‍‍`s car.

The manhunt: Maine officials say hundreds of police officers are now working across the state to locate Card, with multiple hospitals involved. Residents are being told to continue sheltering in place.