Michelle Cummings, A Black Mother Dropping Son At Naval Academy, Killed By Stray Bullets At Annapolis Hotel

Michelle Cummings with her husband and son/Photo Courtesy of GoFundMe

A 57-year-old Black mother from Houston, Texas, was dropping off her son at Maryland’s Naval Academy this week with her husband by her side. It would be the last time she would see them alive.

According to NBC Washington, Michelle Cummings, while sitting on her Annapolis hotel’s patio, was unfortunately struck

by stray bullets shortly after midnight on June 29, resulting in her death.

Local police confirmed that Cummings was struck more than once, but the number of bullets has not yet been confirmed. Paramedics arrived at the hotel, which is about less than a mile from the United States Naval Academy, and attempted to save Cummings’ life, but it was too late, and the mother was

pronounced dead at the scene.

According to CBS Baltimore, Annapolis police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the case. Police Chief Ed Jackson told the outlet, “Well, we know preliminarily that two people were sitting in a car, an SUV on Pleasant Street, adjacent to where the homicide occurred. And shots rang out, and at least one of the shots more than one we believe struck Ms. Cummings.”

Cummings was sitting on the patio with her husband and another couple, but no additional injuries were reported. Her son Leonard Trey Cummings III, a Navy midshipman and football prospect, decided to continue with “Plebe Summer,” a seasonal training program for those interested in the Navy.

Lt. Col. Todd McCarthy, an officer leading Plebe Summer, told CBS Baltimore that he was proud of his courage. The young prospect would be taking a break to “focus on his family” before returning to the academy.

To help with funeral costs and other expenses, a fellow Navy mother launched a GoFundMe for the Cummings family.

“Being the great mother that she was, she had just dropped her pride and joy, Trey, off at the United States Naval Academy for school. Michelle was an outstanding mother, wife, friend, and Soror,” the page reads, honoring the woman whose life was tragically cut short.

In a tremendous display of community support, the fundraiser has exceeded its goal of $100,000– raising $132,352.

Jada Ojii

Jada Ojii is a creative, fun, and witty writer based in Memphis, Tennessee. She has over 6 years of experience as a freelance writer, specializing in entertainment (music, tv, film), black culture, trending news and more.