Civilian Employee Created False Active Shooter Alert at Military Base to "Trauma Bond" with Colleagues

Oct 02, 2025 12:35 am CST

A civilian employee at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst faces federal charges after creating a false active shooter alert that triggered a base-wide lockdown. Prosecutors allege Malika Brittingham fabricated the emergency to create a shared traumatic experience with colleagues who had ostracized her, hoping the incident would help them "trauma bond." The hoax disrupted operations at one of America's largest military installations, which houses over 42,000 personnel.