Schools, businesses and municipal buildings across the state are closed Thursday as the hunt continues for the Bowdoin man suspected of killing 18 people and injuring 13 others in two shootings in Lewiston.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Robert Card, 40, of Bowdoin in connection with the shootings at Sparetime Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille Wednesday night.
All Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations are closed Thursday, according to the secretary of state’s office.
“Maine is a tight-knit place where we have for so long lived with a strong sense of security. The horrifying news of the mass casualty event in Lewiston yesterday evening has shaken all of us to our core. Still today people are receiving news that their loved ones, friends, and neighbors were victims of this shooting. Across the state people are anxiously awaiting for an update that the suspect has been apprehended by law enforcement,” Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in a statement. “In order for our customer-facing staff to feel safe and secure, we are closing BMV branches across the state, and sending staff home to be with family.”
Maine state courts and facilities in Lewiston and Auburn are closed, including Lewiston District Court, Auburn Superior Court and the violations bureau/service center.
Portland announced that all city buildings except City Hall and the Portland Public Health Clinic at 39 Forest Ave. will be closed to the public Thursday because of the situation in Lewiston.
Town hall is closed in Bowdoin, where state police issued a shelter in place advisory. Town officials urged all residents to stay inside with their doors locked, not to approach any individuals and to report any suspicious activity to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office.
All non-public safety buildings in South Portland are closed, including the Community Center and the Red Bank Community Center, and all programming is canceled, according to an email sent out to South Portland residents. “Our hearts go out to all the victims, families and the Lewiston community this morning,” the email read.
The Saco Community Center is closed and all recreation programing is canceled on Thursday. The community center on Franklin Street is immediately next door to the LTC Butler Army Reserve Center.
In Cumberland, all town facilities and offices will be closed Thursday, including Prince Memorial Library and Val Halla Golf Course. The town announced that Cumberland police “will be out in force” and urged residents to report anything suspicious to police.
Brunswick Town Hall is closed until noon and all recreation and childcare programs have been closed or canceled. In Topsham, all non-emergency facilities remain closed.
The Portland International Jetport remains open and flights are operating as usual, but Portland police and the Department of Homeland Security have increased patrols, according to assistant airport director Zachary Sundquist.
SCHOOLS CANCEL CLASSES
Portland and dozens of other school districts and child care centers in southern and central Maine are closed for the day.
“Our hearts go out to the Lewiston community and the families of those killed or injured. No matter where they take place, these types of senseless tragedies hit close to home, bringing up many emotions and questions for all of us. Although we do not have many of the answers, we will continue to support our staff, students and families in processing these events,” Portland Superintendent Ryan Scallon said in a letter to the school community.
South Portland schools will be closed Thursday, because of “the tragic incidents in Lewiston and the ongoing investigation in the state,” according to a school department email sent to families. South Portland High School Principal Scott Tombleson said in an email that schools will be closed “out of an abundance of caution.”
University of Maine System schools made individual campus closure decisions. The system’s Orono, Machias, Portland and Farmington campuses remain closed Thursday. The University of Maine School of Law is also closed.
Central Maine Community College in Auburn, Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield and York County Community College in Wells all canceled classes and other school events for the day. Maine Community College System presidents are making individual decisions about what is best for their campuses.
Bates College in Lewiston, the University of New England in Biddeford and Portland were closed. There is a lockout in effect at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and extra security in place at Colby College in Waterville.
BUSINESSES CLOSED
Multiple businesses and organizations have also announced they will stay closed on Thursday.
Hannaford Supermarkets announced early Thursday that all of its Maine stores would not open until 10 a.m. Stores in Auburn, Brunswick (Cooks Corner and Elm Street), Gray, Lewiston, Mechanic Falls, Topsham, Turner and Yarmouth will remain closed until further notice.
“We join all Mainers in being deeply saddened and horrified by the tragic events in Lewiston,” the company said in a statement on Facebook.
A spokesperson for L.L. Bean said that its stores in Freeport, its manufacturing facilities in Lewiston and Brunswick, Freeport order fulfillment center and corporate headquarters were closed Thursday.
“The tragic events in Lewiston last night have shocked and saddened all of us at L.L. Bean,” the company said in a statement. “Our priority is, and will remain, the health and safety of our employees and customers. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone effected by this tragedy in our beloved home state of Maine.”
First shift workers at Bath Iron Works who are impacted by shelter in place orders were told not to report to work Thursday morning. Their missed time will be excused under the terms of their collective bargaining agreements. The Western Maine Community Action Blue Line Express commuter bus service from Lewiston and Lisbon did not run Thursday.
Reny’s said it would indefinitely close its stores in Gardiner, Bath, Topsham, Portland, Saco, Windham and Bridgton.
“As the situation develops, we will keep everyone informed to make sure our employees, customers and communities are safe,” the company posted on its Facebook page.
Bull Moose announced Thursday afternoon that all of its stores would close for the day at 5 p.m. The stores in Lewiston and Brunswick will be closed Friday.
The Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine was closed Thursday. Ticket holders will receive an email with more information.
Aroma Joe’s announced 10 locations were closed Thursday.
“As we process the horrific news out of Lewiston, Maine, we remain committed to keeping our baristas safety,” the company said in a social media post.
Locations in Lewiston, Auburn, Oxford, Topsham, Brunswick, Turner, Gray, Raymond, Naples and Lisbon were closed.
ORGANIZERS CALL OFF EVENTS
Organizers of the annual Harvest on the Harbor food and drink festival in Portland canceled Thursday’s Gourmet Graze event, according to a Facebook post. People with tickets to the event will get refunds and questions can be emailed to hello@harvestontheharbor.com. Organizers said in the post they will be monitoring the manhunt in connection with Wednesday’s shootings in Lewiston to assess whether events planned for Friday and Saturday should continue.
“The safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and vendors are our utmost priority,” the post said. “We appreciate you understanding, and please stay safe. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident.”
Cadenza, a music venue in Freeport, canceled its weekend events out of “deep respect for the victims of the tragic events in Lewiston Wednesday night,” according to an email sent out Thursday. People who bought tickets to shows will have the option of a refund or credit, the email said. The scheduled performers this weekend were Castlebay on Friday, Sean Mencher and Hugh Bowden on Saturday and a Les Paul Tribute show on Sunday.
The statewide search has prompted concerts scheduled for Thursday night in Portland to be postponed.
The State Theatre in Portland announced the scheduled show by The Disco Biscuits would not be held. There is no rescheduled date at this time, according to a post on the State Theatre’s Facebook page.
The post ends with “Please stay safe, you are loved.”
Portland House of Music announced on Facebook Thursday afternoon that the sold-out show scheduled to be performed by Rayland Baxter with Flyte would be rescheduled to Nov. 13.
“Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding this tragedy, and out of an abundance of caution, we will not proceed with the show scheduled for tonight at Portland House of Music,” the post reads. “Our hearts go out to the community in Lewiston and its neighboring areas.”
A show featuring comedians John Mulaney and Pete Davidson at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland Saturday has also been postponed. Information about possible make-up dates will be announced at some point in the near future. Their show scheduled for Sunday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor has also been postponed.
The Maine Mariners hockey team’s next home game, scheduled for Friday at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, has been postponed. A make-up date for the game against the Adirondack Thunder has not been announced.
“We are heartbroken and devastated by the senseless violence in Lewiston, ME. Our prayers are with everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy, and we are grateful for the first responders who are putting their own lives on the line to protect our communities. We urge everyone to stay safe and follow the guidance of local law enforcement,” the Maine Mariners said in a statement on its website.
Staff writer Ray Routhier contributed to this report.
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