Security Guards Involved in Fatal Shooting at Northrop Grumman Facility Identified

Incident occurred at Linthicum site near Baltimore-Washington International Airport

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:15pm

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Police have identified the security guards involved in a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday evening at a Northrop Grumman facility in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Joseph Keith Aman, 37, of Baltimore, was shot and killed during a dispute with another guard, Dylan Blake Chandler, 26, of Pasadena. Chandler was charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges.

Why it matters

Workplace violence and security incidents at major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman raise concerns about employee and contractor safety, as well as the potential impact on operations and public perception. This incident will likely prompt reviews of security protocols and training at the facility.

The details

According to police, the two contracted security guards got into a dispute inside the Northrop Grumman facility in Linthicum, near Baltimore-Washington International Airport. This led to Chandler shooting Aman, who died at the scene. A third guard intervened, disarmed Chandler, and took him into custody. The incident did not involve any Northrop Grumman employees.

  • The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
  • Aman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Joseph Keith Aman

A 37-year-old security guard from Baltimore who was fatally shot during the incident.

Dylan Blake Chandler

A 26-year-old security guard from Pasadena who was charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges for the shooting.

Northrop Grumman

A major defense contractor whose Baltimore-area facility was the site of the fatal shooting incident.

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What’s next

County police said a weapon was recovered and Chandler was charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges. The investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of robust security protocols and training for all personnel, including contractors, at sensitive defense industry facilities. It also underscores the need for clear policies and procedures to address workplace disputes and prevent escalation to violence.