DIXFIELD — A former Dirigo High School student carrying a handgun near the school Monday morning was questioned by police and released, Police Chief Jeffrey A. Howe said.

Police responded to the school for a report of a student showing a handgun to students in a classroom, prompting a lockdown of the building, the chief said in a news release. However, police learned the suspect, a 17-year-old male from Dixfield, had not been in the school at 145 Weld St. He was on an adjoining street when he showed the handgun, Howe said.

Police found him at his residence, detained him and released him after talking with the district attorney and Juvenile Community Corrections, the chief said, adding that the teen was cooperative.

The investigation is continuing, Howe said.

Becky Branam said her son, Javin, texted her that the school was on lockdown at 11:17 a.m. She said she was comforted knowing her son was OK and appreciated he had a phone with him to keep her informed.

The lockdown lasted about an hour. 

School officials said classes resumed as scheduled, but parents were allowed to pick up students early.

Howe said there was a “terrific show of support from surrounding law enforcement agencies, Dixfield Fire Co., school staff and students and parents.”

Law enforcement officers from Dixfield, Mexico, Rumford, the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police responded to the high school.

Police from several agencies respond to Dirigo High School in Dixfield on Monday morning for a report of a former student showing a handgun. The suspect, a 17-year-old male from Dixfield, was found at his residence, questioned and released, Police Chief Jeffrey A. Howe said. 

Police from several agencies respond to Dirigo High School in Dixfield on Monday morning for a report of a former student showing a handgun. The suspect, a 17-year-old male from Dixfield, was found at his residence, questioned and released, Police Chief Jeffrey A. Howe said.