Lewiston active shooter: 16 people dead and 60 injured with armed suspect still at large

Police are hunting a gunman who opened fire at two separate locations in Lewiston, Maine, killing 16 and injuring up to 60 more.

Pictures of the suspect armed with a rifle have been released by the police, showing a man stalking into a business with a weapon shouldered ready to fire. The gunman is still believed to be at large. Law enforcement sources who have been briefed on the shooting confirmed to CNN that 16 have been killed with 50 to 60 people are injured. Police are warning people to stay in their homes and lock their doors.

Maine State Police ordered residents in the state's second-largest city to shelter in place Wednesday night because of an active shooter situation in multiple locations.

READ MORE:Police release photo of suspect in Lewiston 'with 16 killed and dozens injured'

Lewiston Police said in a Facebook post that they were dealing with an active shooter incident at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley. The Lewiston Police Department has released a picture of a vehicle they believe to be involved in at least one of the shootings.

"Please stay off the roads to allow emergency responders access to the hospitals," police said. On its website, Central Maine Medical Center said staff were "reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event" and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients.

The alert for Lewiston was made shortly after 8 p.m. as the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office reported that law enforcement agencies were investigating "two active shooter events." The sheriff's office said the suspect was still at large.

"We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate," the sheriff's office reported.

A spokesperson for Maine Department of Public Safety urged residents to stay in their homes with their doors locked.
"Law enforcement is currently investigating at two locations right now," Shannon Moss said. "Again please stay off the streets and allow law enforcement to diffuse the situation."

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office released two photos of the suspect on its Facebook page that showed a gunman walking into an establishment with a weapon raised to his shoulder.

Gov. Janet Mills released a statement echoing those instructions. She said she has been briefed on the situation and will remain in close contact with public safety officials. Ange Amores, a spokesperson for the city of Lewiston, said city officials are not commenting on the shooting. Amores said Maine.

State Police were planning to hold a news conference, likely at city hall, to update the public on Wednesday night.
Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent, said he was "deeply sad for the city of Lewiston and all those worried about their family, friends and neighbors" and was monitoring the situation. King's office said the senator would be headed directly home to Maine once the Senate's final vote is held Thursday afternoon.