Civilian Navy Employee Arrested Over NJ Base Hoax

Malika Brittingham, a civilian Navy employee at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, was arrested after allegedly triggering an active-shooter hoax by texting around 10:14–10:15 a.m. that she had heard "five or six" shots and was hiding with co-workers, prompting 911 calls and a base lockdown that lasted about an hour and led some nearby schools to shelter in place. The lockdown was lifted after officials determined there was no shooter. Investigators say Brittingham initially denied sending the texts but later admitted she fabricated the report and knew there was no active shooter. Prosecutors allege she staged the hoax to create a "trauma bond" with colleagues after feeling ostracized, and she has been charged in federal court with conveying false information about the use of firearms at a federal facility. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba condemned the incident and vowed prosecution.