Aroostook County law enforcement has stepped up patrols in response to the mass shootings in Lewiston on Wednesday night.
The Houlton Police Department does not have any intelligence that indicates 40-year-old Robert R. Card II, a person of interest in the shootings who remains at large, is heading north toward the County, but they are taking precautions and working with the border patrol, said Chief Tim DeLuca on Thursday.
“We are stepping up our awareness, visibility and we’re being more vigilant,” DeLuca said. “We are watching our schools and we just want the public to know we are safeguarding our community in response to the tragedy yesterday.”
Just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, shootings broke out at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant in Lewiston, according to Maine State Police.
At this time, 18 people are known dead and 13 injured, police said.
Aroostook County Sheriff Peter Johnson said that County deputies are in and out of County schools today in hopes of providing some peace of mind.
“We are making sure we are increasing our presence within the schools and public events occurring throughout the County and any place we would anticipate a larger number of people,” he said. “We are really trying to be more visible.”
The sheriff also offered to support the Maine State Police in the County if they have to send troopers downstate, he said.
They are currently not involved in any border patrol organized actions related to the shooting.
The border patrol could not be reached regarding securing the state’s borders following the shooting.
Currently there are more than 350 law enforcement officers from around the state and national agencies involved in the search for Robert Card, according to Shannon Moss, Maine State Police.
If anyone has any information on Robert Card or about the shootings please call 207.213.9526 or 207.509.9002.
