A Maine man fired about 20 rounds from a semiautomatic rifle near a Jewish summer camp while hundreds of children, some as young as 7, were at the site. Camp Modin, in the town of Belgrade, was placed on lockdown following the gunfire. No one was injured. The camp is currently seeking a protection order against the shooter, who was released on bail after the incident earlier this month.
Nathan Hewett, 36, arrived at the camp’s boundary with his father on August 7 following a dispute over damage they said had been caused to his lawn mower, the news website Central Maine reported. After a confrontation with camp security guards, Hewett left the area. Gunshots were heard a short time later.
Camp security personnel, including a former police officer, put on bulletproof vests and armed themselves to protect the campers. According to court documents, responding officers saw Hewett fire about 20 rounds from a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle. Spent shell casings found near the rear of the camp raised suspicions that some of the shots had been fired in the direction of the basketball court.
The rifle used by the shooter
(Photo: Kennebec County Sheriff's Office)
Police arrested Hewett, who appeared intoxicated at the time. A search of his home uncovered 23 firearms, including semiautomatic weapons. A police document said he also is suspected of an antisemitic bias.
Hewett faces several charges, including reckless conduct with a firearm, criminal threatening with a weapon and terrorizing with a dangerous weapon. He was released on bail and is barred from being within 1,000 feet of the camp’s property, from purchasing firearms or consuming alcohol. A hearing is scheduled for August 31.