Former Naval Academy Midshipman Charged Over Shooting Threat

Jackson Fleming, a 23-year-old former US Naval Academy midshipman, was charged with transmitting threats across state lines after an online post led to a false report of a shooter at the military college. This post led to a lockdown last week in Maryland and caused confusion during the investigation.

Fleming, arrested last Friday, faces one count of transmitting a threat in interstate communication. His attorney, Jonathan Bedi, asserted their intention to contest the allegations strongly, expressing confidence that Fleming will be cleared as the case unfolds.

The incident, amid a climate of heightened anxiety over recent school violence, resulted in a midshipman being mistakenly shot in the shoulder, and a security officer sustaining minor injuries. The academy confirmed there was no active shooter threat, and both injured parties have since been released from the hospital.

(With inputs from agencies.)