FORT KENT, Maine — After gunshots were heard Tuesday night in the vicinity of three schools, school officials delayed opening Wednesday as police investigated.
Shots were reported on Pleasant Street near Valley Rivers Middle School, Fort Kent Community High School and the University of Maine at Fort Kent. Police indicated on social media that the situation was resolved, and that classes at MSAD 27 schools would resume at 10 a.m.
Fort Kent Police Chief Michael DeLena said the matter was resolved without incident at roughly 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. No arrests or charges were made.
DeLena said the department received a report of gunshots around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday. He said there is no danger to the public.
The Fort Kent Police Department said Wednesday morning that this was a precautionary measure, but that the incident did involve the discharge of a firearm near the three schools.
UMaine at Fort Kent announced on its website that campus will be closed for the day.
“Due to shots fired and a person barricading themselves in their home within the vicinity of the Fort Kent Elementary and Middle Schools on Pleasant Street in Fort Kent, the Fort Kent Police Department has requested that UMFK close all operations for the day,” the post read, adding that the schools will reopen Thursday and provide more information once the situation is resolved.
The post was later updated on Wednesday morning to indicate that the situation had been resolved, and that the university will remain closed until Thursday.
MSAD 27 posted on its website at 6:53 a.m. Wednesday that the district’s schools will be on a two-hour delay.
“We are asking all students and staff to stay away from the MSAD 27 schools at this time,” the post read. “We will update you over the next several hours as we learn more.”
A similar incident occurred last year in the same area. Two men were later arrested and charged with reckless conduct with a firearm. DeLena said there are no connections between the two incidents.
This story was updated to indicate the incident has been resolved.
