Federal employee taken into custody following “active shooter hoax” at NJ’s largest military base
Federal Government Employee Arrested After Active Shooter Hoax at Joint Base McGuire
On Tuesday, a federal government employee was taken into custody for allegedly perpetrating an “active shooter hoax” that led to a lockdown at Joint Base McGuire in New Jersey, according to acting US attorney Alina Habba.
Habba revealed in a social media post that the civilian employee, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended for “conveying false information regarding an active shooter at Joint Base McGuire.”
The incident prompted the sprawling military base, one of the largest in the nation, to go into lockdown earlier in the day.
A statement posted on the base’s Facebook page instructed all personnel to shelter in place during the lockdown, without specifying the nature of the threat.
The lockdown was lifted shortly before noon, less than an hour after it was initiated.
Habba’s statement did not provide details on the employee’s actions but labeled the individual as a “suspect in…today’s active shooter hoax.”
The US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey did not immediately respond to inquiries about the incident.
“This kind of senseless fear-mongering and disruption will not be tolerated in my state,” Habba stated. “After everything this country has gone through, especially in light of current events, I will be sure to bring down the hammer of the law for anyone found guilty of creating unnecessary panic and undermining public trust.”
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is a massive military installation that spans 42,000 acres and encompasses Air Force, Army, and Navy operations. It is home to over 42,000 service members, dependents, and civilian employees.
Located about 18 miles south of Trenton and 30 miles east of Philadelphia, the base plays a crucial role in national defense.
Incident Amid Military Leaders Gathering at Quantico
The active shooter hoax unfolded as US military leaders convened at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was addressing them about ending “woke” culture in the armed forces.
This incident follows a series of violent incidents at military installations in recent years, including an Army sergeant shooting five fellow soldiers at a Georgia base last month and the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, which claimed 13 lives.
