FBI Baltimore
Baltimore Press Office
(410) 277-6689
March 31, 2015

Updated: FBI Statement on Shooting Incident at National Security Agency

Updated March 31, 2015:

FBI Baltimore continues to investigate a shooting incident that took place at the National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade on March 30, 2015. FBI agents and members of the FBI Evidence Response Team are conducting interviews, following leads, and collecting evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.

FBI agents have identified a man who died at the scene as Ricky Shawatza Hall (date of birth: December 5, 1987). A passenger in the car is being treated at an area hospital. An NSA Police officer was treated for injuries and released from the hospital yesterday. There is no information being released at this time regarding motive; however, FBI Baltimore does not believe this is related to terrorism. The men were dressed as females but not in an attempt to disguise themselves from authorities. FBI Baltimore and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland are still working to determine if any federal charges will be filed.


Statement from Jonathan Freed, NSA Director for Strategic Communications, on March 30, 2015:

Shortly before 9:00 a.m. today, a vehicle containing two individuals attempted an unauthorized entry at a National Security Agency gate. The driver failed to obey an NSA Police officer’s routine instructions for safely exiting the secure campus. The vehicle failed to stop, and barriers were deployed. The vehicle accelerated toward an NSA Police vehicle, blocking the road. NSA Police fired at the vehicle when it refused to stop. The unauthorized vehicle crashed into the NSA Police vehicle. One of the unauthorized vehicle’s occupants died on the scene. The cause of death has not been determined. The other occupant was injured and taken to a local hospital. One NSA Police officer was injured and taken to a local hospital. The incident was contained to the vehicle control point area on the perimeter of the secure campus. This information is preliminary, and the FBI is leading the investigation. The National Security Agency is grateful for the swift response of the NSA Police, as well as the support of the FBI, Maryland State Police, Fort Meade Fire Department, Fort Meade Emergency Medical Services, the Anne Arundel County Fire and Police Departments, and other offices. NSA takes seriously the security of its workforce and facilities.


Original FBI statement on March 30, 2015:

FBI Baltimore is investigating a shooting incident that occurred this morning at a gate at the National Security Agency at Fort Meade just off I-295 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

The shooting scene is contained, and we do not believe it is related to terrorism. We are investigating with NSA Police and other law enforcement agencies. Our Evidence Response Team is processing the crime scene, and FBI special agents are doing joint interviews with witnesses. We are working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland to determine if federal charges are warranted.

We have no further information at this time to release.