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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.