"NCIS" provided a shocking, action-packed, nail-biting finale that ended with agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by actor Mark Harmon, being shot in the chest and leg by Luke Pisccheda. Equally appalling was the fact that he was shot by Luke, a boy he had befriended. The character's fate was up in the air when the season ended abruptly. Is Gibbs, the fan-favorite character who has been on the show since the beginning, really dead?

Unfortunately, the cast and crew of "NCIS" have been extremely tight-lipped when it comes to revealing spoilers about the police procedural drama. Executive producer Gary Glasberg spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about Gibbs' fate, but still managed to elude the burning question on the mind of every "NCIS" fan.

"Regardless of the outcome, any time that Gibbs or one of our family members is in danger or injured, it significantly affects everyone," the producer cited, "We'll have to see the long-term effects and the psychological effects, but they'll undoubtedly, as they always are, be there for each other."

Glasberg made it clear that the finale was purposely shot in a frantic and chaotic manner in order to make the audience feel unsettled and confused, and make them sit on the edge of their seat.

What the producer did share was that season 13, premiering this fall, will pick up moments after season 12. It will significantly feature both Luke and Mike Franks, who viewers may recall had died in season eight and returned to the show this season.

While Gibbs' fate remains a mystery, TVLine reports that actor Michael Weatherly, who plays ace agent Tony DiNozzo, will crossover to "NCIS: LA", the original show's offshoot, for one episode. Weatherly has also paid a visit to the sets of "NCIS: New Orleans", but this is the first time that he will be shooting for the LA spin-off. The special episode has already been shot and will feature in season seven of "NCIS: LA".

Find out about Gibbs' fate as "NCIS" season 13 premieres this fall on CBS.