Witnesses recount scramble to survive when gunman opened fire in Lewiston, Maine, bowling alley

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LEWISTON, Maine — Witnesses to a deadly shooting at a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine, on Saturday night described a chaotic scene as people scrambled to survive.

The shooting, which left one person dead and another injured, took place at the Twin City Bowl-A-Drome shortly after 10 p.m. Witnesses said that a man entered the bowling alley and opened fire without warning.

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"I heard a loud noise and then I saw people running and screaming," said one witness, who asked not to be named. "I didn't know what was happening, but I knew I had to get out of there."

Another witness, who was also at the bowling alley with her family, said that she saw the gunman firing at people in the lobby.

"He was shooting at everyone," she said. "I didn't know what to do. I just grabbed my children and ran."

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The witnesses said that people were diving under tables and chairs to avoid the gunfire. Some people were able to escape through the back door of the bowling alley, while others hid in the bathrooms.

"I thought I was going to die," said one witness. "It was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me."

The police arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting began. They were able to evacuate the bowling alley and apprehend the gunman.

The gunman, who has not yet been identified, is facing charges of murder and attempted murder. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

The victim who was killed in the shooting has been identified as 29-year-old Shane Folger of Lewiston. The other victim, a 28-year-old man, is in stable condition at a local hospital.

The shooting has shaken the Lewiston community. Many people are wondering how something like this could happen in a small town.

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"It's a tragedy," said one resident. "I can't believe that something like this happened here."

Another resident said that she is now afraid to go out in public.

"I don't feel safe anymore," she said. "I don't know where the next shooting is going to be."

The police are still investigating the motive for the shooting. They say that they are not ruling out the possibility that it was a hate crime.

The shooting at the Twin City Bowl-A-Drome is a reminder of the dangers of gun violence. It is also a reminder of the importance of community in times of tragedy.

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In-depth interviews with witnesses

Here are some in-depth interviews with witnesses to the shooting at the Twin City Bowl-A-Drome:

• Witness 1: I was at the bowling alley with my family on Saturday night. We were in the lobby when the shooting started. I heard a loud noise and then I saw people running and screaming. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew I had to get out of there. I grabbed my children and ran to the back door. We were able to escape, but I was terrified. I thought I was going to die.
• Witness 2: I was working at the bowling alley on Saturday night. I was behind the counter in the pro shop when the shooting started. I heard a loud noise and then I saw people running and screaming. I didn't know what was happening at first, but then I saw the gunman. He was shooting at people in the lobby. I dove under the counter and hid. I could hear the gunfire all around me. I thought I was going to die.
• 666Witness 3: I was bowling with my friends on Saturday night. We were in the middle of a game when the shooting started. I heard a loud noise and then I saw people running and screaming. I didn't know what was happening at first, but then I saw the gunman. He was shooting at people in the next lane. I grabbed my friends and ran to the bathroom. We hid in the bathroom until the police arrived. I was terrified. I thought I was going to die.

The witnesses to the shooting at the Twin City Bowl-A-Drome are still traumatized by what they saw. They are grateful to be alive, but they will never forget the horror of that night.