ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A U.S. Naval Academy midshipman was wounded during a campus lockdown after being shot by a Navy police officer responding to what was ultimately determined to be a false active shooter report, according to Navy officials.
The incident occurred during an emergency response at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, when authorities initiated a lockdown following reports of a possible active shooter. Security personnel rapidly deployed to Bancroft Hall, the academy’s primary dormitory, to search for a potential threat.
During the operation, a Navy police officer shot a midshipman in the shoulder. Officials later confirmed that the reported active shooter threat was a swatting incident—a deliberately false emergency report intended to provoke a large law enforcement response.
The injured midshipman was transported to a local hospital, where officials said the individual was in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. No other injuries were reported during the incident.
Following the shooting, the U.S. Navy launched a comprehensive investigation into both the officer-involved shooting and the false emergency call that triggered the lockdown. Investigators are reviewing the responding officer’s actions, examining body camera footage and surveillance video, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the circumstances surrounding the swatting report.
The investigation will also determine whether existing emergency response procedures were properly followed and whether additional policy changes are needed to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
In response to the event, Naval Academy officials have already implemented several changes to campus security operations. These include updated procedures for Naval Security Forces during active-threat responses, revised guidance governing interactions with midshipmen during emergencies, and additional reviews of training standards and use-of-force policies.
Academy leaders are encouraging students, faculty, staff, and visitors to follow official instructions during emergency situations, report suspicious activity through established channels, avoid spreading unverified information on social media, and rely on official academy communications for accurate updates.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and that further information, including any policy recommendations or disciplinary actions, will be released after investigators complete their review.
The incident highlights the serious risks posed by false emergency reports, commonly known as swatting, which can place both law enforcement officers and innocent individuals in dangerous situations. Officials continue to investigate the origin of the false report while assessing the circumstances that led to the mistaken shooting.
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