Schools and Public Buildings in Lewiston Close as Manhunt Continues

As the police in Maine continue their search early Thursday for the suspect, dozens of government buildings, local school districts and universities in the southern portion of the state are closed, following advice from the authorities for residents of the area to stay home or shelter in place.

Here is a partial list of closings.

• Bates College in Lewiston canceled classes Thursday. The school, where students have been sheltering in place since the shooting was reported Wednesday evening, has been authorized to shuttle students from academic and administrative buildings to their residence halls on campus, a college official said in a letter.

• Public schools in the towns of Gray and New Gloucester, south of Lewiston, are closed.

• The University of New England in Biddeford and Portland and the University of Maine in Machias and Orono closed their campuses. Bowdoin College canceled in-person classes but is allowing faculty members to conduct classes online if they choose.

• All municipal buildings and programs in Lewiston are closed. Across the river in Auburn, City Hall is closed. The CityLink bus system serving the two cities is not running.

• A number of schools, day care centers, recreational facilities and municipal buildings are closed in other towns and cities across southern Maine, including in Augusta, Portland, Vassalboro and Wells.