The US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, was placed under lockdown Thursday after reports emerged that a dismissed midshipman had returned to campus with a weapon and opened fire inside Bancroft Hall, the institution’s vast dormitory complex. The incident triggered an immediate security response, with academy officials and local law enforcement working together to contain the situation and protect students.
According to sources cited by Fox News, gunfire was heard within Bancroft Hall, a sprawling residence hall that accommodates more than 1,600 midshipmen and is recognized as the largest single dormitory in the world. Witnesses reported that the alleged shooter had been moving through the building, knocking on doors while posing as a military policeman.
Footage from the scene showed emergency responders transferring one individual from an ambulance to a medevac helicopter, underscoring the seriousness of the unfolding situation. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the victim or the extent of the injuries.
In a statement, Lt. Naweed Lemar, spokesperson for the Naval Support Activity that hosts the academy, confirmed the lockdown and said it was implemented “out of an abundance of caution.” He added that the situation remained active and that further updates would be provided as information became available.
Law enforcement officers, including local police and military security personnel, were deployed around Bancroft Hall as the response continued. The academy urged students, staff, and visitors to remain sheltered in place until authorities determined that the threat had been neutralized.
The lockdown rattled the campus community, which is accustomed to the Naval Academy’s reputation as one of the most secure military institutions in the United States. For now, officials are treating the episode as a developing security emergency, and investigations are underway into how a dismissed midshipman managed to return to the academy grounds with a firearm.
