Naval academy lockdown triggered by online threat sent by a former midshipman

A former Naval Academy midshipman has been accused by federal officials of issuing a threat involving a lockdown and gunfire at the Maryland academy, which occurred recently.

, and ASMedia

2025 September 18 . 3:24 AM

2 min read

Naval academy lockdown instigated by threatening message sent by ex-midshipman

Naval academy lockdown triggered by online threat sent by a former midshipman

Former U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Charged with Threatening Communication

A former U.S. Naval Academy midshipman, Jackson Fleming, has been charged in federal court with making a threat across state lines related to a lockdown at the military college in Maryland.

The threatening post triggered a lockdown at the academy on Thursday, causing a wave of anxiety among students and staff. However, it was later determined that there was no active shooter threat at the U.S. Naval Academy, according to a statement released last week.

During the investigation, another midshipman was shot in the shoulder due to the confusion that ensued. Fortunately, the wounded midshipman was discharged from the hospital on Friday. A member of the naval security force sustained minor injuries during the incident and was treated at a hospital before being released.

The shooting of the midshipman occurred during the investigation of the threat. Fleming was arrested on Friday on suspicion of sending an online threat through a social media application concerning the academy. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy from June 30, 2021, to Jan. 5, 2024.

Fleming's attorney, Jonathan Bedi, has stated that they intend to fight these charges in court vigorously. Fleming was charged with one count of transmitting a threat in interstate communication.

This incident at the U.S. Naval Academy is one of the recent instances of violence and threats at schools, following a shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church that left two children dead and 17 injured over two weeks ago, a shooting at a high school in Denver that left two students injured and the gunman dead, and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college.

The false report of a gunman at the U.S. Naval Academy was made amid heightened anxiety over recent violence at schools nationwide. The search results do not contain information about the lawyer of Jackson Fleming, the former U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman charged with interstate threatening letters related to the military school in Maryland.