Overview

• Malika Brittingham, a Naval Air Warfare Center employee assigned to the New Jersey base, is charged with knowingly conveying false information related to firearms at a federal facility.
• According to a federal complaint, she texted around 10:15 a.m. that she heard five to six shots and was hiding with co-workers, leading the recipient to call the base operations center and 911.
• JB MDL issued a lockdown shortly before 11 a.m., then declared an all clear about an hour later after no threat was found and no injuries were reported.
• Investigators used call and alert timestamps to refute her initial account of when the message was sent, and she admitted fabricating the report to “trauma bond” after feeling ostracized.
• Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba pledged a firm prosecution, and base commander Col. Michael Stefanovic said normal operations have resumed as an after‑action review proceeds.