Police responded Sunday night to a report of shots fired at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, CBS New York reports.
No one was injured.
“Preliminary investigation does not indicate shots were fired at JFK. There are no injuries,” the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey said in a statement.
At least two people reported hearing shots fired in Terminal 8, police said. NBC News, citing law enforcement sources, say clapping and banging by people watching the Olympics may have been misheard as gunshots.
Extent of what I can see from other side of Terminal 8 at #JFK
The FDNY told CBS that the call for shots fired came in about 9:38 p.m.
The investigation into the incident is continuing, the Port Authority said.
Here is what you need to know:
1. The Shots Fired Were First Reported in Terminal 8, With a Second Report in Terminal 1
According to police scanner reports and witnesses, police were focusing on Terminal 8, in the American Airlines departures area.
The entire terminal was evacuated, according to police.
“At this time, no gun shells or other evidence of shots fired has been found. The terminal was evacuated out of an abundance of caution,” the Port Authority said in a statement.
Terminal 8 also includes gates for Air Berlin, Alaska Airlines, American Eagle, Finnair, LATAM, Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian.
Terminal 1 was also evacuated after reports of shots fired there at about 10:15 p.m.
Other witnesses reported hiding in other buildings, including in an immigration area:
2e alerte et panique. On nous fait nous cacher dans les cabines de l’immigration. JFK.
Police searched the buildings. Several suspicious packages were reported as baggage was left behind by passengers leaving the terminals.
2. Some Flights Were Diverted Away From JFK to New Jersey & Buffalo
Great so my JFK flight is now arriving in Newark, which would be fine if my car wasn’t at JFK
Some flights were diverted away from JFK, according to passengers who were tweeting from their planes. One flight was sent to Buffalo and another to New Jersey.
About to land at JFK, but pilot suddenly announces flight diverted to Buffalo! JFK apparently “shut-down”. No idea why
It is not clear if the flights were diverted because of the report of shots fired, or because of previous weather issues. Flights had already been delayed as a result of thunderstorms.
According to Jason Rabinowitz of @AirlineFlyer, flights headed to JFK were being delayed as a precaution.
3. Police Also Sent Units to LaGuardia Airport as a Precaution
PICTURES: of travelers standing outside the JFK terminal 8 after reported shooting
Police also sent units to LaGuardia Airport, the city’s other major airport, as a precaution, according to police scanner reports.
“There is substantial PAPD and NYPD presence at JFK and LGA,” the Port Authority said.
There are no reports of any incident ongoing there.
Flights were already being delayed at LaGuardia because of weather issues.
4. Witnesses ‘Described ‘Panic’ at the Airport as Police Locked Down Security Areas
Panic at jfk theyre closing the gates at security-possible shooter
A photo from Dan Archer posted to Twitter showed authorities closing the gates at security in one of the terminals. You can see the photo above.
Archer, who said there was “panic” at the airport, said in subsequent tweets that there was no confirmation of a shooter, but armed police were patrolling in the area. He and other travelers were in security by screening with gates locked down.
He later said police told them it was unsafe to be there:
Police won’t say anything except “it’s not safe to stay here” as we leave terminal 8
“Overheard a woman telling a cop something about a guy arguing over a bag as we were evacuated,” he tweeted. He also said there were reports of a fight in a food area.
5. There Was a Heavy Police Presence at the Airport, Causing Delays
Witnesses reported a heavy police presence at the airport, along with other emergency vehicles.
Other photos showed hundreds of people outside Terminal 8:
RIGHT NOW: terminal 8 blocked off at #JFKairport by police after unconfirmed reports of shooting. @NBCNewYork
Due to police activity, the Van Wyck Expressway approaching JFK Airport is closed. Consider alternate routes and expect traffic delays.
Several roads in the area were also closed as police set up a perimeter.
