Maine State Police and the FBI are investigating false reports of active shooters at 10 Maine districts on Tuesday.
The schools that went on lockdown ranged from York to Aroostook counties.
According to the Portland Press Herald, lockdowns were put in place at Sanford, Portland, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Houlton, Winslow, Wiscasset and Gardiner Area high schools, Fort Fairfield schools, and Oceanside High School in Rockland.
In Sanford, Police Lt. Matthew Gagne said police and fire crews were dispatched to the high school at about 8:20 a.m.
He said a caller identified themselves as a teacher who was locked in the staff room.
The caller said a white male wearing a black jacket and black pants had entered the school with a long rifle.
The false reports quickly spread on social media and led parents to believe their children may be in danger.
Now, an investigation is underway to try to figure out who made those calls.
Hoaxes like this one have occurred all over the country.
They’re commonly referred to as “swatting,” and this is the first time Maine has dealt with it on a large scale.
