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
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.