U.S. Naval Academy Placed on Lockdown Amid Reports of Active Shooter and Gunshots in Annapolis

Annapolis, Maryland – September 11, 2025  In a chilling escalation on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the storied U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, was thrust into lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of threats that quickly evolved into confirmed accounts of gunshots and an active shooter on campus. The incident, which unfolded around 5 p.m. EDT, has left midshipmen, staff, and the surrounding community on high alert as law enforcement and military personnel conduct sweeps of the facility.

A Naval Academy spokesperson confirmed the lockdown in an official statement, emphasizing the precautionary measures being taken. "Naval Support Activity Annapolis, in coordination with local law enforcement, is currently responding to reports of threats made to the Naval Academy," the statement read. "The base is on lockdown out of an abundance of caution. This is a developing situation and we will provide updates as they become available."

Eyewitness accounts and unverified social media reports painted a more alarming picture. Video footage circulating online showed midshipmen sprinting toward buildings with hands raised, while SWAT teams were observed conducting building-to-building searches, particularly in Bancroft Hall—the massive dormitory housing over 4,000 midshipmen. One academy official, speaking anonymously to Fox News, described the suspect as a former midshipman who had been expelled from the academy and returned to campus armed with a weapon. "The shooter is knocking on doors pretending to be a military policeman," the source claimed, adding that gunshots had been heard inside Bancroft Hall.

Initial reports from the City of Annapolis urged the public to avoid the area near Gate 1 and Gate 3, with Route 2 partially closed to facilitate emergency response. Emergency medical services (EMS) were staged nearby, and at least one medevac helicopter was requested, according to scanner traffic monitored by local OSINT accounts. Preliminary alerts indicated three patients injured, though no official confirmation of casualties has been released by authorities.The lockdown alert blared across the academy: "LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN, LOCKDOWN. Take immediate shelter. Lock and barricade all doors. Stay clear of windows. Remain in lockdown until all clear is given. This is NOT a drill." Midshipmen were instructed to shelter in place, with some describing the chaos on social media as "terrifying" but commending the swift response from base security.

This incident comes amid a wave of similar threats reported across U.S. educational institutions on the same day. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including Hampton University, Virginia State University, Alabama State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Southern University, and Clark Atlanta University received bomb threats, prompting evacuations and investigations. Other schools, such as the University of Massachusetts Boston and Santa Fe Preparatory School in New Mexico, also reported heightened security measures. While no direct connection has been established, the timing on 9/11 has raised concerns about coordinated hoax or malicious activity.

Annapolis Police Department spokesperson Kortlan Jackson addressed the media, stating, "We cannot confirm an active threat, but are searching the area out of an abundance of caution." The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been notified and is assisting in the probe, according to sources familiar with the matter.The U.S. Naval Academy, founded in 1845 and home to the future officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, has long symbolized resilience and discipline. This breach of its secure perimeter—bolstered by recent enhancements under the REAL ID Act and ongoing force protection protocols—serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities even in the most fortified environments.

17GEN4.com