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
16-year-old Devajae Christopher and 17-year-old Tamarion West killed in Auburn Gresham shooting
CHICAGO, IL — Chicago police have identified 16-year-old Devajae “DJ” Christopher, known by friends as “Lil Spazz,” and 17-year-old Tamarion West, known as “Stewie,” as the two teenage victims found shot to death early Wednesday morning in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
A third victim, a 21-year-old man, was wounded in the same incident.
According to the Chicago Police Department (CPD), officers were dispatched to the 8100 block of South Marshfield Avenue around 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, following reports of someone claiming they had been shot.
When first responders arrived, they discovered a 16-year-old male on the second-floor back porch of a residential building suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Upon entering the apartment, officers observed significant blood evidence and numerous shell casings scattered throughout the interior.
As they continued clearing the residence, they located a 17-year-old male in a hallway with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. He was also pronounced deceased at the scene.
Officers then proceeded to the third floor, where they found a 21-year-old man hiding under a bed, suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm.
He was transported by the Chicago Fire Department to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in fair condition.
A 13-year-old boy was also discovered hiding inside the residence but was physically unharmed.
Witnesses reported seeing three males fleeing the building shortly after gunfire erupted.
One nearby resident told investigators that the shooting may have occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., when it was still dark outside, saying they heard multiple gunshots before gathering their children to pray.
At this time, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Two Bureau of Detectives are conducting a comprehensive investigation.
This tragic shooting marks the third incident within 24 hours in which multiple Chicago teenagers were shot, leaving three dead.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Chicago Police Department’s 6th District at (312) 745-3610, submit a tip anonymously through CPDTIP.com, or reach out to Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) for a potential reward leading to an arrest.
The investigation remains ongoing.