A former midshipman has been arrested for sending a false threat to the Naval Academy that led to a lockdown and mistaken shooting last week, authorities announced Tuesday.
Jackson Fleming, 23, sent the threat on Sept. 11, prompting the shutdown at the prestigious institution in Annapolis, Md., the Justice Department said in a press release.
Investigators said Fleming used a false IP address to make it look like he sent the threats from inside the academy, according to NBC News. Cops said Fleming had previously been kicked out of the school and was instead at his home in Chesterton, Ind. at the time the threats were sent.
During the lockdown, rumors swirled that the “shooter” — who did not actually exist — was impersonating law enforcement. When a security officer entered a dorm room, one midshipman struck the officer on the head with a parade rifle.
The officer then opened fire on the student and struck them in the shoulder, police said. The wounded student was hospitalized but released on Sept. 12.
“We intend to fight these charges in court vigorously,” said Fleming’s attorney, Jonathan Bodi. “We are prepared to mount the strongest possible defense, and I am confident that when the complete facts emerge, Jack will be vindicated.”
In addition to coming on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the threat was sent one day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on the campus of Utah Valley University. Several other universities were forced into lockdown by various threats on the same day.
With News Wire Services
