The shocking cliffhanger ending of NCIS Season 23 has left fans with one major question: Who was shot?
In the final moments of the season, Torres confronted Mateo, McGee’s newly discovered teenage son, about a missing cyber internship application. Mateo appeared nervous and warned Torres, saying, “They could be watching.” He then revealed he was carrying a gun. Moments later, a gunshot echoed through the city, and the screen cut to black.
With no confirmation about who fired the weapon or who was hit, several possibilities remain:
1. Mateo Shot Torres
Mateo is clearly hiding something and seemed desperate to keep Torres from digging deeper. If he fired the shot, Torres could have been wounded and Mateo may have fled the scene, setting up a major investigation in Season 24.
2. Torres Shot Mateo
Although Torres is unlikely to shoot first, he may have acted in self-defense if Mateo fired at him. A non-fatal injury to Mateo would create intense drama, especially when McGee learns his son was involved.
3. A Third Party Fired the Shot
Mateo’s warning that “they could be watching” suggests a larger threat may be involved. An unseen person could have targeted Torres, Mateo, or both, indicating a bigger conspiracy that Season 24 will explore.
4. Both Torres and Mateo Were Targeted
The audience only heard one gunshot, but that doesn’t mean only one person was involved. A coordinated attack could have left both men injured, kidnapped, or missing, giving the NCIS team a complex mystery to solve when the new season begins.
What It Means for McGee
No matter who was shot, McGee faces an impossible situation. As an NCIS agent, he must follow the evidence. As a father, he wants to protect his son. That conflict is likely to be one of the central storylines when Season 24 premieres.
Until the show returns, fans can only speculate—but one thing is certain: the Season 23 finale delivered one of the most suspenseful cliffhangers in recent NCIS history.
