Gunman Attacks Jewish Summer Camp in Maine

A neighbor's escalating harassment of a Jewish summer camp in Maine culminated in a terrifying rifle attack, forcing hundreds of children into lockdown.

For parents, sending a child to summer camp is an exercise in trust, a belief that they are entering a safe haven of friendship and growth. That security was shattered at Camp Modin in Belgrade, Maine, when a neighbor fired a semi-automatic rifle dozens of times toward a basketball court where children play. While no physical injuries were reported, the psychological toll of the attack has sent shockwaves through the camp's community and highlighted the rising threat of antisemitic harassment targeting Jewish institutions.

What Happened

On the evening of August 7, 2026, shortly before 7:05 p.m., the peaceful atmosphere at Camp Modin—the oldest Jewish summer camp in the United States—was broken by gunfire.

According to court documents, 36-year-old Nathan R. Hewett and his father approached the camp's property line from their neighboring home on Smithfield Road. The men complained to camp staff about damage to a tractor lawn mower, which they blamed on the camp.

Camp security guards Timothy Black and Joshua Ewing, a former law enforcement officer, confronted the pair. Ewing described Hewett as "extremely enraged and irrational." Sensing danger, the security team called 911, and the dispatcher could hear active gunshots in the background.

Kennebec County Sheriff's deputies rushed to the scene. The first deputy requested an immediate lockdown of the camp, where at least 400 campers and staff—including children as young as seven—were present.

As the lockdown went into effect, a deputy observed Hewett firing a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle approximately 20 times in various directions. Security guards put on ballistic vests and armed themselves to protect the children. Investigators later recovered spent shell casings and found evidence suggesting that several shots were directed toward a basketball court near the back of the camp property. Hewett, who appeared highly intoxicated, was arrested at the scene.

• Suspect: Nathan R. Hewett, 36, a neighboring resident.
• Location: Camp Modin in Belgrade, Maine.
• Ammunition Fired: Approximately 20 rounds from a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle.
• Target Area: A basketball court and recreational areas where children were present.
• Camp Population: Over 400 children and staff members.
• Charges: Reckless conduct, criminal threatening, terrorizing, and discharging a firearm near a dwelling.

Why It Matters

This attack was not an isolated dispute. Camp owner Pascal Cohen described Hewett as a "long-term problem" who had been escalating his hostile behavior for months. According to camp officials, Hewett had previously tried to disrupt camp activities by shining bright truck lights onto the property, setting off late-night fireworks, and frequently firing weapons nearby.

Authorities are treating the shooting as an antisemitic attack, reflecting a broader, deeply concerning trend of rising hostility toward Jewish institutions. For the families of the 400 children at Camp Modin, the incident represents a terrifying realization of their worst fears. The fact that security guards had to don ballistic vests and prepare for an active shooter scenario at a children's summer camp underscores the extreme vulnerability of religious and cultural youth spaces.

What Happens Next

Following his arrest, Hewett was charged with multiple felonies, including reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening, and terrorizing. However, much to the dismay of camp leadership and local families, Hewett was subsequently released on bail.

In response, Camp Modin is actively seeking a formal protection order to keep Hewett away from the property. Security measures at the camp remain heightened, and local law enforcement has promised increased vigilance around the area to ensure the ongoing safety of the campers and staff.

What We Still Don't Know

1. What specific evidence led investigators to formally classify this incident as an antisemitic attack rather than a neighbor dispute?
2. Why was Nathan Hewett granted bail and released back to his neighboring property so quickly despite the severity of the charges and his history of harassing the camp?
3. What additional security measures or permanent physical barriers will Camp Modin implement to protect children from future threats along the property line?

Source Note

This story draws on reporting from the New York Post.