[UPDATE: The shelter in place order for all MSAD 75 schools has now been lifted after the Caribou man who allegedly threatened to bring a weapon to an unspecified elementary school was taken into custody Thursday.]
All schools in Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 75 are sheltering in place as police investigate a possible threat.
“I am writing to inform you that we were notified by the police department a short time ago of a possible threat made against one of our former students and the person also referenced a threat to a not named elementary school,” Interim Superintendent Heidi O’Leary wrote Thursday in a letter to families. “Law enforcement is actively investigating and responding to this threat.”
O’Leary said information received by the school district indicated a man from Caribou who had a conflict with a former student allegedly threatened to find where the former student lives and bring a weapon to an unspecified elementary school.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all schools are currently in a shelter-in-place while law enforcement continues to assess the situation,” O’Leary said.
MSAD 75 covers schools in Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell, and Topsham.
Thursday’s threat comes as all of Maine remains shocked and on high alert from last week’s mass shooting in Lewiston that resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
The shooter, Robert Card, was a resident of Bowdoin and a former student in MSAD 75.
The interim superintendent explained that Topsham police are working to arrest the individual who made the threats.
“I want to stress that there is no indication of any immediate danger to students and staff, but we are taking precautionary safety measures,” she added.
“I understand this is very alarming news for our community,” O’Leary said. “We are working closely with law enforcement to gather additional details and ensure our students remain safe. I will provide another update as soon as we have more definitive information to share.”
“In the meantime, please know that student and staff safety is our utmost priority. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns,” she said.
