A 77-year-old man with a firearm is undergoing a mental health evaluation after expressing homicidal and suicidal thoughts aboard a schooner Wednesday morning.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 5:08 a.m., Knox Regional Communications Center received an initial report that an approximately 77-year-old male passenger on the schooner Heritage was in possession of a firearm and expressed homicidal and suicidal ideations. The captain was immediately notified and was able to secure the weapon and contained the individual without incident, while anchored in Pulpit Harbor off North Haven.
Upon arrival, deputies determined that the male passenger was experiencing severe confusion and expressed paranoid thoughts.
“This was a highly volatile initial report, but thanks to the swift, calm, and professional actions of the captain, crew, and bystanders, the situation was safely contained before our arrival,” Sheriff Patrick Polky said. “We are incredibly grateful for the seamless coordination with our dispatchers and mutual aid partners to ensure a safe outcome for everyone on board.”
The incident remains under investigation. The individual is undergoing a medical and mental health evaluation, while deputies complete the Maine yellow flag process.
The Heritage, based in Rockland, is a 145-foot schooner that takes up to 30 passengers on overnight, multi-day trips around Maine.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.