U.S. Naval Academy On Lockdown Over Active Shooter Reports

UPDATE: Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed that there was no credible threat to the academy in a statement released Thursday night. 

A midshipman who was thrown out of the academy made anonymous threats through social media using an IP address in an attempt to make it seem like he was at the academy, according to NBC News. One midshipman who was sheltering in place reportedly hit a responding officer with a weapon, as he thought the officer was the reported gunman.

That officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Original Story:

The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland is currently on lockdown after reports of an active shooter on campus, according to a statement from the War Department.

According to multiple reports, a disgruntled former midshipman who was kicked out of the academy returned to the campus with a weapon. The suspected gunman then reportedly started knocking on doors while posing as a military police officer.

The U.S. Naval Academy said that the Naval Support Activity Annapolis and local law enforcement are investigating the threats.

“The base is on lockdown out of an abundance of caution,” a U.S. Naval Academy spokesperson said. “This is a developing situation, and we will provide updates as they become available.”

According to a report from Fox News, gunshots have been reported on campus. The gunfire was reported within Bancroft Hall, which houses the midshipmen.

Overhead footage obtained by WJZ-TV shows multiple SWAT officers and at least one K-9 unit entering Bancroft Hall. Additional footage from WBALTV Baltimore shows people running into a building at the Naval Academy with their hands in the air.

As of 6:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Fox News reported that casualties had been reported. The exact number is unknown, though at least one victim was said to have suffered serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.

Footage obtained by the outlet showed at least one victim being air-lifted from the campus via helicopter.

In a statement to WBALTV, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said there was “no credible threat” to the campus as of 6:53 p.m. Eastern Time. It is unclear whether this statement means there was indeed a shooter, who was neutralized, or whether it was an isolated incident.

The overhead footage from Fox News indicates that an incident did indeed occur at the campus shortly after 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Thursday’s investigation at the Naval Academy follows numerous reports of threats at college campuses across the country. Lockdowns were reported in several states, including multiple schools in Maryland, though none of them were deemed credible

This is a developing story.