A suspect is dead after two people tried to gain unauthorized entry with a stolen SUV at a National Security Agency gate at Fort Meade, Maryland, Monday morning.
When the driver of a Ford Escape ignored an NSA police officer's instructions to leave the campus about 9 a.m., barriers were deployed. NSA police fired shots at the vehicle as it drove toward an NSA police vehicle blocking the road, according to the NSA. The vehicle crashed into the NSA vehicle.
One of the suspects died at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital. The cause of death hasn't been determined, the NSA said.
Prior to the shooting at Fort Meade, the suspects robbed someone at a motel on Route 1 in Jessup, Maryland, sources told News4. They spent the night in a room with the vehicle's owner, who had picked them up in Baltimore, sources told News4.
Their vehicle was taken from the hotel.
One NSA officer also was taken to a hospital but is expected to be OK.
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From Chopper4, emergency workers could be seen caring for an injured, uniformed man who was loaded into an ambulance.
At least one gun and drugs were found in the stolen Ford Escape the suspects were riding in, according to NBC News.
A senior U.S. official told NBC News that the incident appeared to be a "local criminal matter."
The FBI is leading the investigation. Its Baltimore office said they do not believe the incident is related to terrorism. The FBI is working with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland to determine if federal charges are required.
“The incident has been contained and is under investigation,” said Col. Brian Foley, Fort Meade garrison commander.
The Department of Defense said they are not considering any changes to installation points of entry at this time.
In July, a man failed to obey an NSA officer's command to stop as he approached a checkpoint. The man drove away, injuring an NSA officer and nearly striking a barricade. He was later arrested.
Earlier this month, police captured a man accused of firing at a building on the NSA campus. The man, who was also accused of shooting at vehicles, told police he heard voices.
The NSA's presence is clearly visible in the area, with large satellite dishes and glass and steel buildings rising from the tree line. Chain link fences marked with restricted access signs and topped with barbed wire run along the perimeter of the campus.
Posted signs inform drivers of various exits for the NSA and Fort Meade, including one for deliveries, another for the visitors center and one designated only for employees.
Jon Reinach, owner of Fort Meade Auto Center, said people sometimes stop by his service center asking for directions. Truck drivers sometimes also have to drop off their assistants at his shop because they don't have proper identification to get past security.
"A lot of people come in here trying to find their way to Fort Meade," Reinach said, adding that he's heard of people going through the wrong security entrance, but "usually they'll pull over to a waiting area and they usually do check out."Fort Meade, a United States Army installation, is home to approximately 10,000 military personnel. More than 51,000 military, civilian and contract employees work at the installation.
