Bates College in Lewiston, Maine remains on lockdown as the manhunt for Robert Card, the alleged gunman in Wednesday’s mass shootings, continues.

Katarina Dickson, a Princeton, Mass. native and an All-American on the Bates rowing team, has spent the last few days in her dorm. She said it’s been difficult just staying in one place when so many people want to help, but knows it’s important to stay out of law enforcement’s way as they search for Card.

Students got a text from Bates Campus Safety shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday urging them to stay inside, and half an hour later, Lewiston went into a citywide lockdown.

During her time at Bates, Dickson said she has gotten to know the area well and never imagined something like this unfolding.  

“This is my fourth year at Bates and I’ve always felt really safe in Lewiston,” she said. “I'll go for runs alone and I don't worry about anything like this. And certainly no one thinks that something like this is going to happen so close to them. It’s been good to know that all of our Bates students and faculty are safe.”

Bates College had been planning to inaugurate Garry Jenkins as its ninth president on Friday, but the ceremony was postponed. In a statement to the campus community, Jenkins said in part, “I am hugely appreciative of the grace and patience that you all have displayed in the face of this tragedy and the ongoing search for the suspect.”

Dickson said she has stayed in her dorm room since the shooting, except for a few opportunities to go get food at the dining hall. She said being a part of the Bates community is helping her through the isolation.

“I think it's just been a lot to process and we've all been hearing sirens and choppers all over,” Dickson said. “But being here, being in a community and being part of the college has made it so much easier because there's so many people around you that are in the same position and everyone's kind of going through it together, which has been so incredibly helpful and supportive.”

Bates College has been recruiting volunteers to help reopen the campus once the lockdown is lifted.