A student at Hampden Academy brought a firearm onto school grounds in his car last Wednesday, triggering a police response. A concerned parent who spoke with The Maine Wire says administrators have been less than forthcoming with information about the incident.
On the morning of May 20, the Hampden Police Department responded to assist school administration officials following reports of a safety concern on school property.
School administration received information suggesting that a student at Hampden Academy had brought a firearm to school property inside his vehicle.
A Hampden officer located the vehicle with assistance from school officials.
A later search allegedly revealed a firearm locked inside the vehicle’s glove box. No ammunition was found with the firearm.
It is not clear how the school learned about the firearm.
The incident remains under investigation, but no further information is being released, and police will not name the suspect or specify any disciplinary or legal consequences against the student.
A concerned parent reached out to The Maine Wire shortly after the incident, complaining that school officials refused to provide any details about the situation.
He said that he was aware the school could not release the student’s name, but that he was concerned that they couldn’t provide any information to help him evaluate for himself whether his son was safe at the school.
“I wasn’t looking for the student’s name or anything like that, just some information, so I could evaluate my child’s safety,” he told The Maine Wire.
He provided The Maine Wire with the statement sent out by the school to parents, which did not include any mention of a firearm.
“I wanted to let you know that a school safety issue was brought to our attention today. In collaboration with the Hampden Police Department, the incident was immediately investigated by HA administration, and we learned there was no danger to students or staff. We continue to prioritize school safety and appreciate staff and students’ continued diligence in keeping everyone safe,” said Principal Susan Thibedeau
The concerned father said that he reached out to Thibedeau by phone, but was told that she could provide no additional information.
My how times have changed. Gone are the days of bringing a gun to school during hunting season.
Yes, I am old. Do any other Maine Wire readers remember when a pick up truck was considered naked without a gun rack clearly visible in its place against the back cab window? And the rack was considered empty without a deer rifle? “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”