BIDDEFORD – An armed man who paced up and down a street before firing a shot into the air was subdued by police on Monday.

Joseph Shaw, 46, of Limington, had two weapons in his possession, a .25-caliber handgun and a .38-caliber revolver, when two officers took him by surprise just before 7 a.m. after approaching from behind a stockade fence, said Police Chief Roger Beaupre.

Before being subdued, Shaw threatened to commit suicide, fired a gunshot into the air and pointed a gun at police officers in an attempt to get them to fire, Beaupre said.

Students from the high school to primary level witnessed the incident from a nearby bus stop. Several gave their accounts of what happened to police.

Shaw was charged with reckless conduct with a firearm and was transported to Southern Maine Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation. His bail was set at $500.