| Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Media Release |
UPDATE Friday September 20 | After a thorough investigation, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office identified an 11-year-old male as the suspect in this incident. The male, a 6th grade middle school student, and the suspicious device were both located at the student’s home. Investigators determined that it was not an explosive device.
Based on the investigation and with collaboration with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office and the State of Maine Division of Juvenile Community Corrections, the student was charged with the crime of Terrorizing. The student was then subsequently conditionally released to his parents’ custody.
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Incident Date: 09-19-2024 |
Incident Time: 2:51 pm |
Incident Location: Ricker Road New Gloucester, Maine |
Release Date: 09-19-2024 |
Release Time: 5:00 pm |
On September 19th, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious device on an SAD #15, Gray / New Gloucester School Bus. At the time, the bus had a mix of middle and high school aged students on board, approximately 15 total students.
The School Bus Driver immediately stopped the bus in a safe location and evacuated the bus. Emergency First Responders from the New Gloucester Fire Department and Auburn Fire Department responded, as did additional Law Enforcement resources to include the Auburn Police Department and Maine State Police Bomb Squad with a Bomb Detection K-9 Team.
Ricker Road was shut down for approximately two hours while the incident was investigated. SAD #15 Administration arranged for a unification point for the students evacuated; removing them from the location safely and transporting them to a nearby location.
At this time, the incident remains under investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.
It has been determined there is no longer a potential threat to the School District, Students or public. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the SAD #15 Administration and the Bus Driver for their immediate action and handling of this situation.
