BENTON, Maine — Schools in the SAD 49 towns of Benton and Fairfield were placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after a man took his own life on school property, according to Superintendent Dean Baker and Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of Benton Elementary School, Baker said in a statement issued late Wednesday afternoon. The suicide took place in the man’s car, Baker said.
“No students, families or school staff were involved or in danger at any time,” he said. “The school responded to this incident by placing the Benton and Fairfield schools in lockdown.”
Liberty said that elementary school administrators were told that a man in a green two-door Mustang was parked about 300 feet from the school in the easternmost part of the school’s parking lot.
When she went out to investigate, Principal Suanne Georgetti confronted the man, later identified as Anthony Harding, 41, of Waterville, Liberty said.
Liberty said that Harding appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance and was holding a half empty bottle of Nyquil. Several syringes and prescription medications were later found in the vehicle, he said.
Georgetti contacted Fairfield rescue personnel, who questioned Harding about his medical condition. As they spoke with Harding from the passenger side door, Harding shot himself with a .38-caliber handgun, the sheriff said.
It was not clear why Harding was at the school, Liberty said.
“Mr. Harding had no family members attending the Benton Elementary School and has no connection to Benton Elementary,” Liberty said. “His arrival at the Benton Elementary School appears to have been random.”
Liberty said that Harding reportedly was the prime suspect in a crime reported to Waterville police earlier in the day and that Wednesday’s incident remains under investigation.
Liberty commended elementary school staff for their preparedness for such situations and said the coordinated efforts of area law enforcement agencies paid off.
The superintendent said that schools will be open for the rest of the week and that counselors will be available to students as needed.
Liberty said Kennebec County officers were assisted by Fairfield police, the Maine Forest Service and Maine State Police.