'Multiple Victims' After Gunfire At Los Angeles Airport

There was a shooting incident at one of the nation's busiest airports Friday — Los Angeles International — that left at least a few people injured and forced the evacuation of a terminal and delays of flights coming into and out of the airport.

Local news outlets were told by authorities that the incident apparently began when a Transportation Security Administration employee at a security checkpoint was shot and wounded. There were reports of at least two other injured persons as well.

Around 1:45 p.m. ET police were telling local news outlets that "the shooter" was in custody.

As happens when stories such as this are developing, there was a considerable amount of conflicting information in the early hours. We're focusing on authorities who should have direct knowledge of the situation and news outlets with reporters who are at the scene or have trusted sources. 

Update at 1:57 p.m. ET. "Multiple Victims;" Suspect In Custody:

"Suspect is now in custody. Multiple victims. Press conference at 11:30 am at Sepulveda Blvd/Century Blvd w/ Airport Police & LAPD Chiefs," reads a statement on the airport's official Twitter page.

Update at 1:55 p.m. ET. "Gunshots, Gunshots, Everybody Run":

Laura Gomez, who works at a Starbucks in Terminal 3, tells NPR's Sam Sanders that she heard the "pops" of gunshots and that a co-worker then ran into the shop yelling "gunshots, gunshots, everybody run!"

Update at 1:45 p.m. ET. Police Spokesman Says Authorities Believe Shooter Is "In Custody":

It's his understanding that the the shooter is "in custody" and that there are "two, possibly three victims," a Los Angeles police spokesman just told NBC Los Angeles.

Update at 1:35 p.m. ET. At Least Three People Injured, NBC Says:

Along with a TSA employee, at least two other people were wounded, officials tell NBC Los Angeles.

Update at 1:20 p.m. ET. "Fear Unlike Anything I've Ever Experienced":

Bill Reiter, a Fox Sports columnist, has been tweeting from the scene.

Among his posts:

• "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."
• "That is a kind of fear unlike anything I've ever experienced. In those moments, it's true, you think about your kids and your your wife."

 

Update at 1:11 p.m. ET. "Situation Has Ended":

NBC Los Angeles says it is being told by officials that "the situation has ended." But, obviously, that doesn't mean things are back to normal at the airport. The FAA says planes are being held on the ground after landing.

Update at 1 p.m. ET. At Terminal 3:

"Airport officials confirm police incident began at 9:30 a.m. @ Terminal 3 at LAX. More info to come," the airport says. According to the airport's website, the airlines using that terminal are AirTran, Alaska, Horizon, JetBlue, Spirit, Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic.

Our original post:

"Los Angeles police responded to a report of shots fired Friday morning at Los Angeles International Airport," reports NBC Los Angeles. It is webcasting its coverage.

The airport's Twitter page has this notice:

"There is an incident underway at LAX. Law enforcement is on scene. More information to follow."

 

Los Angeles police say they are on "tactical alert" in the city's West Bureau.

At least some parts of the airport have been evacuated.

We'll keep an eye on the news and update.

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