Federal Employee Arrested for Active Shooter Hoax at NJ Military Base, Citing Desire to Bond with Co-workers

Malika Brittingham, a U.S. Navy employee, was arrested for staging an active shooter hoax at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, reportedly to bond with co-workers.

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Overview

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1.

A U.S. Navy civilian employee, Malika Brittingham, was arrested for orchestrating an active shooter hoax at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

2.

Brittingham knowingly conveyed false information about a shooter, triggering a lockdown at the military base that lasted for approximately one hour.

3.

The employee reportedly staged the elaborate hoax with the intention of bonding with her co-workers, who she felt had been excluding her.

4.

Officials quickly determined there was no actual threat, lifting the lockdown and ensuring the safety of personnel at the New Jersey military installation.

5.

Brittingham is now facing charges for knowingly conveying false information, highlighting the serious consequences of such deceptive actions at a federal facility.

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by focusing on factual reporting of the incident and official statements. They avoid loaded language, presenting information directly about the arrest, the base lockdown, and the U.S. Attorney's comments without editorializing. The coverage prioritizes clarity and official accounts, ensuring a straightforward presentation of events.

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FAQ

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Malika Brittingham is a civilian employee who works for the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center and was assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

Malika Brittingham knowingly conveyed false information by texting someone that there was an active shooter on the base, saying she heard shots and was hiding in a closet with co-workers, which triggered a lockdown on the base.

Her stated motive was to 'trauma bond' or bond closely with her co-workers, as she felt excluded and wanted to create a shared crisis to build closer ties.

The lockdown lasted approximately one hour before base officials confirmed there was no actual shooter and lifted the lockdown, ensuring the safety of the personnel.

Malika Brittingham is facing federal charges for knowingly conveying false information about an active shooter, highlighting the serious consequences of staging such hoaxes at a federal facility.

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