Several public buildings across Maine, including the State House, were the target of hoax calls Wednesday. All threats were deemed not credible, officials say.

Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety, could not confirm if the calls are connected. The incidents are currently under invitation by state and local police.

Synchronized threating phone calls are often categorized as “swatting” incidents and done so to create mayhem for law enforcement, and it has happened in Maine. In November 2022, 10 Maine schools were swatted.

Here’s how the day unfolded:

At 8:02 a.m., the Old Town Police Department received a call indicating that an individual was headed to Old Town Elementary School with a firearm. By 8:04 a.m., police arrived at the scene and searched the area, finding nothing.

At 8:10 a.m., Houlton Elementary School received a threat from an unknown caller, targeting Houlton Elementary School. Regional School Unit 29 schools were placed in lockdown.

At 8:15 a.m., Winslow Public Schools received a threat from an unknown caller. The superintendent placed the three public schools on a lock out until police could confirm there was no threat. The lockout was lifted around 10:30 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m., a phone call to a State House employee referenced an explosive in the building, Moss confirmed. Capital Police investigated with the Maine State Police K9 unit and did not find anything suspicious.

At 10:42 a.m., the Old Town Police Department received two additional calls similar to the earlier call, but this time targeting the Old Town Public Library and Old Town High School.

All threats were deemed not credible by the respective police departments and the buildings re-opened by mid-morning if they were placed in a lock down or lock out.