GoFundMe Raises $115K After Naval Academy Mom Shot, Killed

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A GoFundMe raised $115,182 for the family of a U.S. Naval Academy mother who was accidentally shot and killed Tuesday in Annapolis. Officers informed that she was in town for her son's induction into the college. Authorities identified the woman as 57-year-old Michelle Jordan Cummings of Houston.

The fundraiser campaign started Tuesday and raised $80,000 in its first day. The movement has already exceeded its $100,000 goal.

About 2,200 people have contributed to the campaign, which has just as many followers and 7,100 shares. The top three donors each gave $1,000.

Another Naval Academy mom, Veranna L Phillips, organized the initiative. Phillips also has a midshipman in the class of 2025. He is slated to play football with the victim's son, Leonard "Trey" Cummings III.

The effort benefits the victim's husband, Leonard "Truck" Cummings. The money will help him pay for the funeral and transport his wife's body back to her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"Michelle was an outstanding mother, wife, friend, and Soror," Phillips said on the GoFundMe page. "Please donate any amount during this heartbreaking time."

Marylanders can donate at this link.

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"As members of our Naval Academy family, we will do all that we can to support Leonard, his father and the entire Cummings family during this unfathomable time," stated Vice Admiral Sean Buck, the 63rd Naval Academy superintendent. "My wife, Joanne, and I, on behalf of all of us here in Annapolis, offer our deepest sympathies."

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

The Investigation

The shooting happened around 12:21 a.m., an incident report added. Michelle Jordan Cummings was sitting on a hotel patio in the unit block of West Street with the parents of another incoming midshipman, Annapolis Chief of Police Edward Jackson explained.

"This was a horrific outcome for the kind of everyday gun violence that many cities across America see," Mayor Gavin Buckley said at a press conference. "Annapolis sadly is not immune."

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Jackson mentioned that the shots were fired on nearby Pleasant Street. Michelle Jordan Cummings was not the intended target, the chief clarified, but multiple stray bullets struck her. The shooter was aiming for two uninjured victims and a parked car, Jackson indicated.

"Celebrating their son going into one of the best institutions in the United States turned into a tragic event," Jackson commented, noting that the son is a prospect for the Navy Football team.

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Medics pronounced Michelle Jordan Cummings dead on the scene, the write-up disclosed.

"My job is to make sure the city is safe," Jackson said. "Every time this happens, it’s very upsetting. I take it personally."

The Annapolis Police Department did not name a suspect, but Jackson suggested that he has a few leads.

Rewards Offered

Detectives asked anybody with information to call 410-260-3439. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587), visiting metrocrimestoppers.org or using the "P3 Tips" mobile application. Informants can reach the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

"Turn yourself in," Jackson told the shooter. "We’re coming after you."

A $20,000 reward is available for information that leads to an arrest for the fatal shooting of a U.S. Naval Academy mother, authorities declared Wednesday. The joint reward is sponsored by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a press release specified. This comes in addition to the $2,000 reward from Metro Crime Stoppers, officials wrote.

"We are hoping this reward will help convince someone with information to do the right thing and pick up the phone," stated Rachel Byrd, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. "We not only owe it to the victim and her family, but we owe it to the entire community to see that anyone responsible for her death is not allowed to walk away."

The governor announced Thursday that the state was adding $10,000 to the reward.

My statement on this week’s fatal shooting in Annapolis: pic.twitter.com/MOmOjMDrSM
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) July 1, 2021

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RELATED:

• Naval Academy: $20K Reward Offered After Shooting Of Plebe's Mom
• Naval Academy Mom Shot, Killed Before Son's Induction Day: Police

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