Man charged with terrorizing OOB school dies after medical emergency

ALFRED — A man recently arrested for allegedly threatening an Old Orchard Beach school has died.

Derek Smith, 31, of Buxton experienced a medical emergency Tuesday night and was transported from York County Jail to the hospital, where he died, according to a written statement from York County Sheriff William King.

“All state protocols and notifications have been followed and an autopsy is scheduled for today,” said King.

Smith, unable to make $5,000 bail after charged with Class C Terrorizing Charge, had been in York County Jail since last week.

Smith allegedly made threatening statements about Loranger Memorial School in Old Orchard Beach over the phone on Oct. 25. A person who reportedly spoke to Smith on the phone told police of the alleged threats.

Loranger Memorial School, located at 148 Saco Ave., serves Old Orchard Beach students in grades three through eight.

Police were dispatched to Loranger around 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 25 and Old Orchard Beach schools remained in lockdown while police searched for Smith. He was not found near the school, and police said further investigation indicated he may not have been near Loranger when the alleged threats were made. Smith was located around 12:30 p.m. in Standish and taken into custody by Cumberland County sheriff deputies on unrelated warrants, and charged by Old Orchard Beach police with terrorizing.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.