A 21-year-old Biddeford resident is now in police custody after being spotted with some type of firearm near the entrance of Biddeford High School on Maplewood Avenue early Friday morning.
After receiving a report from an unnamed student, the school’s police resource officer was able to arrest Mohammed Hussein Kamalulldeen without incident.
The high school went on an immediate “lock down” and other schools in the city were placed on “hold” out of an abundance of caution, according to Superintendent Jeremy Ray.
Police declined to say what type of weapon was spotted.
“This is still an active and ongoing investigation, Police Chief JoAnne Fisk said during a brief press conference at the high school just three hours after the incident.
Fisk said Kamaluldeen has been charged with possession of a firearm near a school building. She said the suspect is in custody and may face additional charges.
Police declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives for having a firearm so close to a public school.
High School Principal Martha Jacques declined to confirm that Kamalulldeen was a former student at Biddeford High School, saying the situation is still under investigation.
“This was another clear example of our community
— Mayor Marty Grohman
stepping up to a challenge by working together.
The police chief, the superintendent and Mayor Marty Grohman all expressed gratitude that the situation did not escalate and that the student made the right decision and followed the school’s guidelines of “If you see something, say something.”
“I am very proud of our community and the way everyone responded to this situation,” Grohman said. “This was another clear example of our community stepping up to a challenge by working together.
Ray also praised parents and the community for giving police and the school an opportunity to dismiss students in an orderly fashion.
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 