Crime
No credible threat at US Naval Academy, midshipman shot by Law enforcement
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Officials have confirmed there is no credible threat to the U.S. Naval Academy following a lockdown that was initiated Thursday in response to online threats.
Governor Wes Moore’s office released a statement after coordinating with local, state, and federal law enforcement:
“In working with law enforcement authorities at every level, there is currently no credible threat to the Naval Academy.”
According to investigators, the threats originated from Jackson Elliott Fleming, a former midshipman who had been expelled from the Academy.
Fleming allegedly used an anonymous social media account and manipulated his IP address in an attempt to make it appear as though he was physically present on campus.
Out of an abundance of caution, midshipmen were ordered to shelter in place. During the lockdown, confusion led to a separate incident when a midshipman mistakenly believed a law enforcement officer was a threat.
The midshipman struck the officer with a training weapon, prompting law enforcement to open fire.
The midshipman was transported to a hospital by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter and is expected to recover, according to officials.
Video from the scene showed students running into buildings with their hands raised as the lockdown was enforced.
Naval Support Activity Annapolis, which oversees security at the Academy, released an earlier statement confirming the coordinated response:
“Naval Support Activity Annapolis, in coordination with local law enforcement, is currently responding to reports of threats made to the Naval Academy. The base is on lockdown out of an abundance of caution. This is a developing situation and we will provide updates as they become available.”
Thursday’s incident at the Naval Academy comes amid a wave of false threats targeting schools and universities nationwide.
Within the past week, multiple colleges and universities — including seven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — were forced to close or lock down after receiving similar reports.
In Maryland, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore reported they had not received any direct threats but confirmed they were closely monitoring the situation.
Nationally, institutions affected by similar investigations included the University of Massachusetts Boston; Santa Fe Prep in New Mexico; Alabama State University; Bethune-Cookman University in Florida; Southern University in Louisiana; Clark Atlanta University in Georgia; and both Virginia State and Hampton universities in Virginia.
Officials have urged continued vigilance but emphasized that the threats to the U.S. Naval Academy have been determined to be non-credible.
Crime
Gerald Waligorski Dies by Self-Inflicted Gunshot After Shooting Wife and Killing Her Parents in Pike County Shooting Spree
NEW CANTON, Ill. — Authorities in Pike County are investigating a deadly shooting spree that left two people dead, one person critically injured, and the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 67-year-old Gerald E. Waligorski, of New Canton, was identified as the suspect. Deputies discovered his body inside his residence following a search warrant executed by a SWAT team.
According to Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Orr, deputies were dispatched around 6 a.m. Thursday to a home in the 300 block of Mississippi Street in New Canton after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers located Waligorski’s wife suffering from a gunshot wound. She told police that her husband had shot her and threatened her parents. The woman was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment.
In response to her statement, officers conducted a welfare check at her parents’ residence in the 200 block of Monroe Street, where they tragically found both victims deceased from gunshot wounds. Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of family members.
As law enforcement searched for Waligorski, local authorities issued warnings to residents to remain indoors, describing the situation as an active shooter threat. Nearby schools, including Griggsville-Perry School District, Western School District, and Pikeland CUSD 10, were placed on soft lockdown as a precaution.
A SWAT team later executed a search warrant at Waligorski’s residence, where he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office stated that the motive behind the killings remains under investigation. Officials with the Hull Kinderhook Fire Protection District confirmed the area is now secure, and law enforcement agencies have lifted all lockdown measures.