1 person dead in shooting at Maryland casino; police searching for shooter

December 3, 2025 Authorities confirmed that a man was fatally shot Wednesday in the food court of the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino in Maryland, and they are actively searching for the shooter.

Prince George's County Police Chief George Nader stated that officers arrived shortly before noon after receiving reports of the shooting. The victim, a man in his early 20s, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

"This was not a random act," Chief Nader said. "The shooter specifically targeted this individual. It appears the suspect sought out the victim, pursued him, and carried out the shooting directly in the food court."

Authorities explained that the victim was alone and ordering food when the gunman approached and opened fire. Surveillance footage has captured the suspect, though police are not yet releasing a description, noting they will do so only if tracking him proves difficult. Officials believe the assailant escaped by car.

The incident was confined to the food court, with the rest of the casino and hotel, located in Oxon Hill near Washington, D.C., remaining open. Nearby schools were temporarily placed on lockdown as a precaution while authorities confirmed the suspect had not fled on foot.

"Crimes like this are extremely uncommon at National Harbor," Nader added. "Violent crime at MGM and the surrounding area has dropped about 32% this year. We are confident this case will be solved."

Commentary: A Tragic Incident at MGM National Harbor

The recent fatal shooting at MGM National Harbor's food court has understandably shocked the community. While it remains an isolated incident, the circumstances surrounding the crime raise crucial concerns. Authorities have confirmed that the shooting was targeted, with the assailant specifically seeking out and executing the attack on the victim. Despite being a rare occurrence in the area, the murder sheds light on the underlying risks that even well-secured, high-traffic locations face.

Prince George's County Police have assured the public that they are actively investigating the case, with surveillance footage already captured. Although a description of the shooter has yet to be released, law enforcement is determined to identify the assailant, especially given the suspect’s apparent escape by car. The police have also emphasized that the incident was confined to the food court area, with no threats to the wider casino and hotel premises, and nearby schools were swiftly placed on lockdown as a precaution.

As the investigation unfolds, it’s important to consider the wider implications of this event on public safety at similar venues. While MGM National Harbor has seen a decrease in violent crime overall, such incidents, however rare, remind us that no location is immune from violence. Law enforcement remains confident that this case will be resolved, but this tragedy serves as a reminder of the vigilance needed to ensure public safety in all spaces.

Sources:

• 1 killed in shooting at Maryland casino; police hunt for gunman