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TSA Agent Killed at LAX; Gunman in Critical Condition

Agincourt November 01, 2013

STORY UPDATED 4:13 p.m.

A gunman opened fire in Terminal 3 of Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning, injuring at least seven people and killing a TSA agent.

The suspect is identified as Paul Anthony Ciancia, a 23-year-old Los Angeles resident and U.S. citizen, according to the FBI.

The incident occurred at 9:20 a.m. when the suspect allegedly withdrew an assault rifle from his bag and began to open fire. He proceeded to the screening area where he continued shooting, before entering the terminal.

Chief Patrick Gannon of the Los Angeles World Airports Police told reporters at a press conference this morning that the suspect was a lone assailant.

Airport police responded immediately and engaged in a firefight, before subduing the suspect and successfully taking him into custody. The suspect is currently in critical condition. Earlier reports erroneously stated he had died.

Three people were shot, including the slain TSA agent and at least one additional TSA employee.

Seven people were treated by the Los Angeles Fire Department, six were transported to local hospitals including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Harbor Medical Center.

Dr. Lynne McCullough of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center confirmed that three adult males were admitted. One of the patients was in critical condition and had suffered gunshot wounds. Two were in fair condition.

Two patients were taken to Harbor Medical Center, one of which had only minor injuries. The other victim, the TSA agent, was pronounced dead.

Security sweeps were conducted throughout the airport and Chief Gannon confirmed that the incident was contained to Terminal 3 only.

Gina Marie Lindsay, executive director of LAWA, said at an early afternoon news conference that the north airfield was closed, though the south airfield remained open. The closures had a ripple effect across the country. The ground stop ended at 4 p.m. today. Terminals 1 and 2 are slowly re-opening, though Terminal 3 is expected to remain closed.

The White House issued a statement earlier confirming that President Obama had been brief about the shootings and would continue to receive updates throughout the day.

EARLIER COVERAGE

12:03 p.m.: Seven people were treated by the Los Angeles Fire Department, six were transported to local hospitals. Authorities would not discuss the nature of the injuries.

Security sweeps were conducted throughout the airport and Chief Gannon confirmed that the incident was contained to Terminal 3 only.

Chief Gannon would not confirm the identity or the condition of the suspect.

Gina Marie Lindsay, executive director of LAWA, said at a news conference that the north airfield was closed, though the south airfield remained open. FlightAware’s Misery Map shows the ripple effect LAX closures are having across the country.

11:35 a.m.: Joel Rubin of the LA Times is also reporting that the suspect was a TSA employee.

Sources telling me: #LAX shooter was #TSA employee and was shot dead by authorities.

— Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) November 1, 2013

NBC is reporting that all shooting victims were employed by the TSA.

11:21 a.m.: CNBC has reported that the gunman has died.

11:07 a.m.: Charlie Kaye of CBS has reported that the suspect is an off-duty TSA agent. This has not yet been confirmed by authorities.

BREAKING. Law enforcement source tells @CBSNews the LAX shooter was an off-duty TSA agent.

— Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeCBS) November 1, 2013

11:03 a.m.: The first photo from inside the terminal has appeared on Twitter. The photo shows the discarded weapon.

@AlienGurudeva: Inside LAX terminal, possibly the gun used laying on ground in front of guard. #Terminal3 pic.twitter.com/gv5A9aBhnr

— Alien Guru Deva (@AlienGurudeva) November 1, 2013

10:59 a.m.: NBC Los Angeles has reported one TSA agent has died.

10:41 a.m.: The White House has issued a statement: “The President has been briefed about the shooting at LAX. We will continue stay in touch with our federal and local partners. The LAPD is leading the response and investigation. We urge citizens to listen to the authorities and follow directions from the first responders on site. The President will continue to receive briefings throughout the day.”

ORIGINAL STORY

Shots were fired at the Terminal 3 security check point at Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning around 9:30 a.m. local time, prompting an evacuation.

Multiple people have been wounded according to early reports. The TSA has confirmed that one of the victims is a TSA agent, who was shot in the leg. Triage tents have been erected at the scene. Streets around the airport have been closed.

There are unconfirmed reports that one TSA agent has died.

The suspect has been taken into custody.

According to CBS Los Angeles, there are reports that a box of ammunition was found on the scene.

Fox Sports columnist Bill Reiter was also at the scene and tweeted, “When gunfire broke out there was a stampede people, all of us hiding under seats we didn’t fit under, we burst through the door to outside.”

When gunfire broke out there was a stampede people, all of us hiding under seats we didn't fit under, we burst through the door to outside.

— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) November 1, 2013

Full planes that had already moved away from the gate have been given clearance to take off. Planes that have landed are being parked and passengers are not allowed to disembark. LAX confirmed that a ground hold is in place.