On Monday morning, September 15, 2025, the Maine State Police, in coordination with the Biddeford Police Department, investigated a report of concerning comments made by an individual at a restaurant in Cornish. The comments referenced potential threats directed toward the University of New England in Biddeford. Troopers identified the individual as 24-year-old Blake Tibbetts of Cornish. He was detained, evaluated at a local hospital, and subsequently transported to the York County Jail. At the request of MSP, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to assist in the investigation. During the investigation, agencies located bomb-making materials at Tibbetts’ residence on Old Limington Road.
Following this discovery, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office charged Tibbetts with:
- Terrorizing (Class C)
- Criminal Use of Explosives (Class C)
- Criminal Attempt to Cause a Catastrophe (Class B)
He is currently being held on $500,000 cash bail.
Given the nature of the charges and the evidence recovered, the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office has assumed the role of primary investigative agency, working in close coordination with the Maine State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and York County District Attorney’s Office. At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the University of New England community. This matter remains under active investigation. No further details are being released at this point.