Early Tuesday morning, a bomb threat sparked immediate action as police and emergency responders descended upon Milford Regional Medical Center. The threat, reported at 4:58 a.m by the Bellingham Police Department, led to a swift and extensive sweep of the 300,000-square-foot facility by Milford Police, Fire Department, and Massachusetts State Police. Not long after, at 6:06 a.m., Boston Logan International Airport received a similarly chilling call, which was later linked to the same suspect, according to a social media update by Milford Police Department.
The suspect, identified as John Lee, a 42-year-old Bellingham resident, was pinpointed through the joint efforts of police officials and the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center, his detection and subsequent arrest unfolded with the sort of urgency one expects in such high-stake situations, and even as the Milford hospital lockdown was lifted at 7 a.m., declaring the bomb threat a hoaxed swatting incident, law enforcement did not rest until they had their suspect in cuffs just a few hours later. Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino praised the response, saying in the Milford Police Department social media post, “A large-scale response like this creates a massive disruption to the hospital that is critical to our region and instills fear among staff and patients receiving treatment.”
A search warrant executed at Lee's Bellingham residence involved a cooperative effort by the Milford Police's Detective Bureau, Family Services Unit, Special Operations Unit, and K-9 Unit, alongside Bellingham officials, allowing them to bring the suspect into custody around 11:16 a.m. Chief Tusino didn’t mince words when discussing the gravity of these threats; “These actions are so reckless and dangerous,” he asserted on the Milford Police Department, commending the swift collaboration between local and state forces.
Lee, who also had three active warrants and a previous charge from November 2025 related to bomb threats at Encore Casino, faces multiple charges which include bomb/hijack threat with serious public alarm, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and warrant arrest, he was transported to Milford District Court for arraignment, as per the Milford Police Department who have reminded the public through their post that all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further details on the case can be sought by contacting [email protected].
