PITTSFIELD – Students and staff at Maine Central Institute were notified by Pittsfield police Thursday afternoon that a young man was headed in their direction up South Main Street with a shotgun.

Any other October, the incident would get scant attention, since bird hunting season is under way, but in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, residents quickly reported the gun-toting person to police.

As individual teachers throughout the campus buildings were notified of the situation, students were told to get down on the floor and up against walls.

“The man never entered campus,” said Police Chief Steven Emery, “but the actions taken by MCI were certainly appropriate and exactly what we wanted them to do. Thank God that all the safety actions were precautionary.”

Emery said the man was likely a hunter carrying a shotgun, since it is duck, partridge and rabbit hunting season, but by late afternoon he had not been located.

Students said that when they were ordered to the floor, at least one looked out the window and said he spotted a man with a gun. “That was probably one of us,” said Emery, adding that several off-duty police officers responded to the campus.

Many students were terrified and began crying, other students reported, with emotions still running high in the wake of the terrorist attacks. They’re not alone, said Emery.

“We’re afraid, too; it is not just citizens,” said the chief. “That’s why we respond to every complaint seriously. It could have just as easily been something disastrous. The terrorist attacks have heightened everyone’s fear factor.”

Emery said his officers are continuing to investigate the incident and expect to identify the young man quickly.