Donald Trump has responded after a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine left at least 16 people dead.
A gunman opened fire in two separate locations in Lewiston, a bowling alley and a restaurant, on Wednesday evening, with police naming Robert Card, 40, as a person of interest. He is described as a certified firearms instructor and member of the U.S. Army Reserve, and is said to be “armed and dangerous.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed a death toll, but CBS spoke to multiple law enforcement officials and said the number is at least 16, while CNN reports the figure is 22.
Multiple unconfirmed reports say at least 50 people have been injured.
Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
Responding on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump—who recently formally filed to run for president in 2024—called the situation “terrible.”
He said: “A terrible situation going on in Maine. At least 22 dead. It just seems to never end for the USA!”
In April Trump said at a National Rifle Association meeting that mass shootings were not a “gun problem.”
“I was proud to be the most pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment president you’ve ever had in the White House,” Trump said. “And with your support in 2024, I will be your loyal friend and fearless champion once again as the 47th president of the United States.”
“It is a scandal and a tragedy that year after year, Democrats in Washington continue to hold common sense school safety measures hostage to their radical gun control agenda, which, in virtually all cases, would do nothing to prevent attacks by demented and disturbed individuals,” Trump said.
“This is not a gun problem,” he added. “This is a mental health problem, this is a social problem, this is a cultural problem, this is a spiritual problem.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spoke to Maine lawmakers on the phone after the incident and “offered full federal support” in the wake of the attack, the White House said in a statement.
Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais said in a statement that all public schools in Lewiston would be closed on Thursday.
People in Lewiston and neighboring cities have been advised to shelter in place as the suspect is still at large.
Maine State Police said there’s “an active shooter in Lewiston” and told people to stay inside with their doors locked.
“Law enforcement is currently investigating at multiple locations,” the agency added.
Update 10/26/23, 5:18 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.