NYPD officials are on high alert “out of an abundance of caution” as police in Maine searched for a suspected mass shooter who is reported to have killed at least 18 people in Lewiston on Wednesday night. The suspected shooter, whom officials have identified as Robert Card, is still on the run.
Police Commissioner Edward Caban assured the public that while there is no specific, credible threat to New York City — located five hours from Lewiston by car — NYPD officials sent investigators to Lewiston and deployed additional security at entry points to the city last night.
“We have to ask, ‘Is there any connection to New York City?’” Caban said at a news conference on Thursday morning.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell added that MTA officials sent a photo of Card and his vehicle information to every police officer across the transit system.
“It’s out of an abundance of caution that we’re doing this,” Chell said, adding that the department also deployed its aviation units.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner said she is monitoring intelligence information through Operation Sentry, an NYPD program where hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country share leads about terrorism. Weiner said her team was “quite confident” Card is not a threat to New York City and does not have a “political or ideological leaning.”
“We urge all New Yorkers to go about your business,” she said.
According to NPR, the shootings took place in at least two locations — a bar and grill and a bowling alley.
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