Crime
18-Year-Old Pather Joyce Arrested for False Active Shooter Report at Standish Hannaford
Standish, Maine — An 18-year-old man has been taken into custody after authorities say he made a false 911 report claiming there was an active shooter inside the Hannaford supermarket in Standish on Friday morning.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, identified as Pather Joyce of South Portland and formerly of Windham, allegedly used a deactivated cellphone to place the emergency call.
The call was received by the Cumberland County Communications Center shortly before 11:20 a.m., stating that an armed suspect was actively shooting inside the grocery store located at 71 Colonial Drive.
In response, deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Gorham Police Department were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, law enforcement conducted an assessment of the location and quickly determined that there was no threat and that the report was a hoax.
Investigators at the scene were able to identify Joyce as the individual responsible for the false report.
He was taken into custody without incident inside the store and transported to the Cumberland County Jail.
Joyce has been charged with false public alarm or report, a criminal offense under Maine law.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office emphasized the seriousness of such incidents, noting the significant and immediate deployment of emergency personnel generated by false reports.
“The Sheriff’s Office takes these swatting calls very seriously as they tend to draw a large law enforcement response, as well as other resources until it can be determined that there is not a threat,” officials said.
No injuries were reported, and no additional details have been released at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing.
GLEN BURNIE, Md. — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting reported in Glen Burnie, Maryland, after an incident in which a suspect allegedly crashed a vehicle into a law enforcement agent.
Preliminary reports indicate that one suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was transported under a Priority B medical status.
Emergency medical services also responded to assist a law enforcement agent who reported neck pain; a second EMS unit was requested to provide additional medical evaluation and care.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting, including what prompted the vehicle collision and the use of force, have not yet been fully detailed by authorities.
Police have confirmed that the scene was secured, and standard investigative protocols for officer-involved shootings have been initiated.
No further information regarding the identities of those involved or the suspect’s condition has been released at this time.
Officials stated that additional details will be provided as the investigation continues.