Mistaken identity leads to shooting at US Naval Academy amid campus lockdown PHOTO/VIDEO

A student at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, was shot by a law enforcement officer on September 11 amid a campus lockdown initiated in response to online threats from a former student, according to a source familiar with the incident, quoted by US media.

The lockdown began after anonymous threats surfaced on social media, allegedly made by a student who had been expelled from the academy. Though not physically present on campus, the individual manipulated their IP address to appear as if they were, the source added.

The shooting occurred when midshipmen — the term used for all Naval Academy students — mistook a responding law enforcement officer for a potential threat. In the confusion, one student reportedly struck the officer with a parade rifle used for training purposes. The officer responded by opening fire, striking the student.

The injured midshipman was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover, according to the source.

Helicopter footage from NBC affiliate WBAL in Baltimore captured emergency responders wheeling the student onto a stretcher before airlifting them via state police helicopter. As of Thursday night, the student was listed in stable condition, a Navy official confirmed.

Naval Support Activity Annapolis security, along with local law enforcement, responded to the situation at 5:07 p.m., the official added.

GUNSHOTS HEARD at Annapolis Naval Academy — Fox News

Initial reports: cadet who’d been kicked out RETURNED, armed with weapon

MEDEVAC at Annapolis Naval Academy happening right now

Person taken from ambulance to waiting chopper pic.twitter.com/dT0Sep3qYW

— News Now (@NewsNowUS) September 11, 2025

The incident at the Naval Academy occurred on the same day that Stockton University’s Galloway campus in New Jersey issued a shelter-in-place order. Authorities were responding to reports of an off-campus shooting in that case, although further details remain limited.

Just a day earlier, another tragic event unfolded in Utah. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at a rally at Utah Valley University.

According to reports, Kirk — a father of two — was shot in the neck during the event and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

In the immediate aftermath, two men were taken into custody for questioning, but authorities later confirmed they were not involved and released them.

On September 11, the FBI released a photo of a person of interest in connection with the shooting. The image shows an unidentified man wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with an American flag on the front and black sunglasses.

By Tamilla Hasanova