Maine shooting Schemengees Bar co-owner, Kathy Lebel, ‘whole things a nightmare’

A co-owner of the Maine bar targeted by a mass shooter on Wednesday night said she still feels “like this whole thing is a nightmare,” according to a local report.

Kathy Lebel, who co-owns Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant in Lewiston, wasn’t at her establishment when gunfire rang out, but was told a person walked into the bar and “started shooting,” before staff fled in horror, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported.

“It was just a fun night playing cornhole … it’s the last thing you’re expecting, right?” Lebel told the newspaper. “I still feel like this whole thing is a nightmare.”

She was one of dozens waiting outside Central Maine Medical Center in an attempt to get more information about family and friends.

By early Thursday, police did not disclose the number of people killed in the shootings, but law enforcement sources said at least 22 were slain and dozens more injured at the bar and the bowling alley Sparetime Recreation.

The two shooting scenes are about five miles apart.

Robert Card, 40, has been identified as a person of interest in the gut-wrenching bloodshed. He is considered by authorities to be armed and dangerous.

A woman told News Center Maine that she hasn’t be able to reach her adult son who was shooting pool at Schemengees with her ex-husband and has no idea if he’s alive.

“My ex-husband and my son were playing pool. And next thing I know, I saw on Facebook that there was a shooting at Schemengees where they were playing,” the woman named Julie told the station outside Central Maine Hospital, where she and his wife and son gathered to wait for answers. 

“We’re all waiting and we’ve learned nothing,” she said. “They won’t tell us if he’s alive, if he’s in critical condition, if he’s passed — they won’t tell us anything.”

Melinda Small, who owns Legends Sports Bar and Grill near the Sparetime Recreation, told the Associated Press workers quickly locked the doors and about 25 customers moved away from the doors after a customer heard gunshots at the bowling alley.

 “I am honestly in a state of shock. I am blessed that my team responded quickly and everyone is safe,” Small told The Associated Press. “But the same time, my heart is broken for this area and for what everyone is dealing with. I just feel numb.”