An 18-year-old from South Portland was arrested Friday after deputies say he placed a false 911 call reporting an active shooter inside the Hannaford grocery store in Standish.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Pather Joyce, formerly of Windham, was taken into custody at the store and booked at the Cumberland County Jail on a charge of false public alarm or report.
The incident began shortly before 11:20 a.m., when the Cumberland County Communications Center received a 911 call from a deactivated phone located inside the Hannaford. The caller claimed an active shooter was in the building.
Deputies and Gorham police officers rushed to the scene at 71 Colonial Drive, but quickly determined there was no threat and that the report was a hoax.
Investigators rapidly identified Joyce as the suspect and arrested him at the store.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that “swatting” calls drain emergency resources and trigger significant law-enforcement mobilization until the situation can be verified as safe.
No additional information has been released.
