The mother of an incoming Naval Academy midshipman was fatally shot in Annapolis, Md., while she was in the city to help her son move in, NBC News reported Thursday
The Annapolis Police Department told NBC News affiliate WRC that Houston native Michelle Jordan Cummings was struck by stray bullets while sitting with her husband on a hotel balcony in Annapolis just after midnight Tuesday.
Officers and medical workers rushed to provide emergency aid but Cummings, 57, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said that Cummings and her husband were in town to help their son, a Naval Academy football recruit, move into the school, according to NBC News.
Annapolis police chief Edward Jackson told WRC that Cummings was hit more than once and the bullets came from a neighboring street.
“What turned out to be a celebratory occasion … turned into a tragic event,” Jackson told WRC.
Authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to a suspect. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) also shared that his state will offer $10,000 as well, sending his condolences to the Cummings family.
“As the investigation continues, our administration and the Maryland State Police have offered our full resources and support to all participating law enforcement agencies,” Hogan said in his statement. “In addition, at my direction, the State of Maryland is adding $10,000 to the reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this senseless crime.”
The Cummings family were supposed to be in attendance for their son’s incoming plebe induction ceremony, NBC News noted.
The Hill has reached out to the Navy and the Annapolis Police Department for more information.