Contracted Security Worker Taken Into Custody After Deadly Shooting at Northrop Grumman Near BWI Airport

Incident reported Wednesday at Linthicum facility

A contracted security worker was taken into custody after a deadly shooting at a Northrop Grumman facility near Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, authorities said Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Police responded to the site in Linthicum, in Anne Arundel County, after receiving reports of a shooting. Investigators described it as an isolated incident. No public warning of an ongoing threat was issued in the initial police description.

What is confirmed, and what remains unknown

Authorities have confirmed two key points: the shooting was fatal, and the person taken into custody is a contracted security worker. Beyond that, significant details had not been publicly released as of Wednesday evening, including the identity of the person killed, the circumstances leading up to the shooting, and the weapon involved.

No information had been released publicly on whether the person in custody faces charges, or on the timeline for a charging decision. In Maryland, charging decisions in homicide investigations typically depend on the completion of initial investigative steps, including witness interviews, evidence collection, and consultation with prosecutors.

• Location: Northrop Grumman facility near BWI Marshall Airport in Linthicum
• Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• Status: Contracted security worker in custody; incident described as isolated
• Not yet released publicly: victim identity, motive, weapon details, and any charges

Operational and community context

The Linthicum area includes major transportation infrastructure and a concentration of aviation- and defense-related workplaces. Northrop Grumman maintains a significant presence in the region, and the proximity to BWI can heighten public concern when serious incidents occur nearby.

While police described the shooting as isolated, workplace violence investigations commonly examine access control, onsite security procedures, and any prior interactions between involved individuals. In cases involving contracted personnel, investigators may also review the scope of the contract role, training requirements, and supervision arrangements, though no such findings have been released in this case.

Next steps expected in the investigation

Investigators typically seek to establish a detailed sequence of events through surveillance video review, forensic processing of the scene, and interviews with employees and responding personnel. The medical examiner’s office is expected to determine the manner and cause of death, while police and prosecutors assess potential criminal charges.

Authorities described the shooting as an isolated incident and confirmed a contracted security worker was taken into custody.

baltimore.news will update this report as officials release additional verified information, including the victim’s identity and any charges filed.