Authorities have identified the individuals involved in a tragic fatal shooting at a Northrop Grumman facility in Linthicum, Maryland, which occurred Wednesday afternoon. The incident, which left one security guard dead, has prompted murder charges against another security guard involved in the altercation.
The victim, 37-year-old Joseph Keith Aman of Baltimore, was fatally shot at the Northrop Grumman facility located near Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Anne Arundel County police received a call about the shooting at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Upon arrival, officers secured the scene with assistance from Maryland Transportation Authority police.
According to police, the shooting resulted from a dispute between Aman and another contracted security guard, 26-year-old Dylan Blake Chandler of Pasadena. The two guards reportedly had a confrontation inside the facility, during which Chandler shot Aman. A third security guard, present at the scene, was able to intervene, disarm Chandler, and take him into custody. Tragically, Aman was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries.
Police confirmed that the shooting was an isolated incident between the two guards and did not involve any Northrop Grumman employees. The incident took place at a facility in the 7300 block of Aviation Boulevard. Authorities quickly secured the area, and the investigation is ongoing.
Dylan Chandler has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, along with related charges. Police recovered the weapon used in the shooting, and Chandler is currently in custody.
In response to the incident, Northrop Grumman issued a statement expressing their condolences and providing further details about the situation. “We are aware of an isolated incident involving two contractors at one of our Baltimore-area facilities. We are working with local law enforcement as they investigate the incident. The safety of our employees and contractors at all our facilities remains our top priority,” the company said in a statement sent to WBAL-TV 11 News on Wednesday night.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the altercation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Department at 410-222-4731 or the tip line at 410-222-4700.
The shooting has left the local community shaken as police and officials continue to unravel the details of what led to this tragic loss of life.