New Brunswick police and Canadian border officials said they are monitoring the investigation in Maine as they search for a suspect in connection with the shooting.
A shooting at a bar and bowling alley in Lewiston on Wednesday night sparked hundreds of police officers across Maine.
At least 18 people were killed and 13 injured.
State and local police identified Robert R. Card, 40, as the suspect in the case. Authorities released a photo of a bearded man wearing a brown hoodie and jeans holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle at one of the crime scenes.
Lewiston, Maine is approximately 3 1/2 hours from New Brunswick’s St. Stephen or Woodstock borders.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said Thursday it is working closely with Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies “to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and to protect Canada’s borders from all threats and (attempted) illegal entry.” It was announced that there was.
CBSA senior spokeswoman Jacqueline Roby said the agency had issued an Armed & Dangerous – Firearms Alert to warn border officials of the high-risk situation.
According to the CBSA website, Maine shares 18 official entry points with New Brunswick and an additional six official entry points with Quebec. All entry points remained open Thursday.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick RCMP said it is “aware of the situation in Maine” and is monitoring “in collaboration with our law enforcement partners.”
Woodstock Police Chief Gary Forward, who is also president of the New Brunswick Chiefs of Police Association, told Global News that “all agencies are aware and working together in the event of any consequences in the province.” We are working on it,” he said.
“New Brunswick government agencies will continue to monitor and share the information they receive and will respond accordingly if the need arises,” Forward said in an email.
Border of St. Stephen, Noble and Calais, Maine on October 26, 2023.
Natalie Sturgeon/Global News
St. Stephen’s Mayor Alan McEachern said he was aware that U.S. authorities were “checking people leaving the country” at the border and that Canadian police on the other side were “doing the same thing as we speak.” He said he is doing so.
Similarly, residents of St. Stephen will receive an alert Thursday afternoon asking them to be on alert.
“We got that alert app. We’re going to put this information out there to make sure everyone knows. Always keep your eyes and ears open for any strange activity,” he said. .
As word of the shooting spread, St. Stephen’s Deputy Mayor Ghislaine Wheaton said she felt residents of the border town were particularly affected by the tragedy.
“They are very upset and very sad,” she said.
“You hear this story a lot on TV, but it seems to have a deeper, deeper impact when it’s about someone you know.”
Border crossings between Quebec and Maine include the Armstrong-Jackman, Sainte-Aurely, and Coburn-Gore-Woburn crossings. Each is approximately 3-4 hours from Lewiston, Maine.
Montreal police confirmed in an email that they are monitoring the situation in Maine and are in contact with partners.
Quebec Premier François Legault said on social media that he was saddened by the shootings and said his thoughts were with the families of the victims and the residents of Lewiston.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs also expressed his condolences, calling the shooting a “horrible event.”
“Our thoughts go out to our neighbors in Maine and the first responders and their families who continue to respond to this ongoing emergency,” he wrote on social media.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on Thursday that the federal government is working to provide assistance as needed.
“Our thoughts go out to our friends in Maine and our neighbors in Maine who are suffering through a terrible, terrible moment right now,” he said.
“Of course, we have been working with Border Force and appropriate law enforcement to ensure additional protections for Canadians.”
— With files from Karina Laframboise and Sean Boynton, Reuters, Canadian Press, Global News
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
