At 3:41pm on Thursday, April 16, Bates College students received notification through the Bates Emergency System text alerts of a Shelter-in-Place order, which was lifted later at 6:12pm.
“LPD [Lewiston Police Department] responding to armed individual near campus on Central Avenue and Campus Avenue,” the first message read.
An update was shared 9 minutes later, at 3:50pm, “Individual is described as male, mid-30’s, blue hooded sweatshirt and black pants.” The message included advice to “avoid Central Ave and Campus Ave.”
A further message was sent out at 4:15pm to “remain in shelter in place.”
Additional information was provided in an email sent by Geoff Swift, also at 4:15pm, which summarized the previous information, including that Bates was notified by Lewiston Police Department (LPD) at 3:40pm.
Recipients were advised to see the Emergency Management page, provided in both 4:15pm communications, where the same information is shared.
According to a post shared on the Lewiston Maine Police Department’s official Facebook page at 8:27pm, LPD had “responded to an incident at St. Mary’s Hospital related to an ongoing investigation in Auburn.” The post noted that the “individual being sought had fled from family members and was believed to be armed with a firearm.”
In a statement by the college given to The Student, the shelter in place was issued out of an abundance of caution. Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais had similarly locked down campuses in the area, as did Central Maine Medical Center.
Bates College shelter in place was lifted at 6:12pm, through messages via Emergency Systems text and email, as well as the Emergency Management page, noting that LPD have found “no indication that the individual of interest is in close proximity to Bates” nor an “explicit threat to campus.”
In the 8:27pm Facebook Post, LPD shared that while the investigation remains active, they have “determined that no firearm was observed by family members or any other witnesses.” The post added that “the individual has made no threats to harm members of the public.”
Bates community members seeking support may find a wide range of supports on campus, including Student Support Advisors, pastoral care at the Multifaith Chaplaincy, or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Last update April 16 at 10:52pm.
