Crime
Miscommunication Triggers Active Shooter Response at Muskingum University
Muskingum County, OH – A miscommunication led to a large-scale law enforcement response at Muskingum University following a false report of an active shooter, according to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Matt Lutz stated that the incident began around 6:35 p.m. when a university staff member overheard students discussing a dispute between a male and female that had allegedly occurred earlier in the day.
The staff member, interpreting the conversation as a potential hostage or active shooter situation, promptly reported it to a Muskingum University police officer.
“The report was kind of confusing at the time,” Lutz explained. “It came into [the officer] as a person saying there was someone holding a hostage or possibly had a gun—an active shooter-type situation.”
Upon receiving the report, the university police officer relayed the information to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched deputies to the campus under active shooter protocols.
In response to the report, Muskingum University issued a shelter-in-place order, instructing students, faculty, and staff to remain indoors as law enforcement swept the campus for any potential threats.
However, after a thorough investigation, officials determined that no active threat existed.
“We think this was probably miscommunication to a certain extent,” Lutz said.
Authorities believe the original dispute—which had been described as “very loud”—circulated among students on social media, where details were misinterpreted and exaggerated.
“I think some of that got carried over into tonight’s incident,” Lutz noted. “So it was two completely different incidents. There wasn’t anybody injured or anything from the first incident. It wasn’t even reported at the time.”
The misinformation spread online may have contributed to the staff member’s concern, leading them to report what they overheard to law enforcement.
“The chatter on social media got turned and twisted, and the staff member overheard students talking about it,” Lutz explained. “I think that got kind of misunderstood. But the report went to the police department, it came to us, and we responded accordingly.”
Following the investigation and campus search, law enforcement confirmed that no shooting had occurred and that no one was injured.
While a follow-up investigation is underway, Lutz stated that, as of Monday night, no criminal charges are expected.
The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted, and the campus has resumed normal operations.
Authorities are reminding students and staff to report concerns directly and accurately to law enforcement to avoid unnecessary panic and ensure appropriate responses to genuine threats.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.