The US Naval Academy in Annapolis was placed on lockdown Thursday evening after reports of a possible active shooter threat, but officials later confirmed there was no gunman on campus. The lockdown, which caused panic among thousands of midshipmen, was lifted after security forces determined the threat was unfounded.
The alarm was raised around 5:07 p.m. after “suspicious activity” was reported inside the academy grounds. Naval Security Forces, supported by local police, immediately secured the campus, home to about 4,400 midshipmen. A Navy spokesperson confirmed later that there was no active shooter, but one midshipman was injured during the confusion and had to be flown out for medical treatment. The injured student is now in stable condition.
The incident unfolded inside Bancroft Hall, the massive dormitory where midshipmen live. Initial reports claimed gunshots had been heard in the building, but officials clarified that the midshipman was hurt after mistaking armed security personnel for intruders. According to academy leadership, the midshipman engaged security officers out of fear, leading to the injury.
Rumors also circulated that a shooter was impersonating a military policeman and knocking on doors, but authorities stressed that this was misinformation. An internal message revealed the scare may have started with a threat posted on the chat app Yodel, later traced to a former midshipman now living in the Midwest.
Maryland Representative Sarah Elfreth confirmed the identity of the injured midshipman and said she will work with state and federal officials to ensure lessons are learned from the event. She emphasized that the safety of midshipmen remains her top priority.
The lockdown came just a day after the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah, adding to the heightened national anxiety about violence on campuses. Defense Department officials, including the Navy Secretary, were monitoring the situation closely with real-time updates from NCIS and academy leaders.
Officials later said the biggest challenge during the incident was misinformation, which spread rapidly on campus and online. Many midshipmen reported moments of fear as they sheltered inside Bancroft Hall, a place that normally feels safe.
The US Naval Academy stressed that the lockdown was strictly precautionary, and security measures were taken to protect everyone on campus.
