A jet comes in for landing at Los Angeles International Airport in a file photo. (Getty)
Police responded to a chaotic scene Sunday night at Los Angeles International Airport, known as LAX, after receiving multiple reports of a shooting inside one of the terminals, officials say.
No injuries have been reported and authorities say was a false alarm. But hundreds of people were evacuated out of the airport’s buildings, roads around LAX were closed down and flights were delayed as a result. Videos from the scene captured the panic as word of an “active shooter” spread around the airport.
The Los Angeles Airport Police tweeted that the reports of an active shooter were “unconfirmed.”
The airport said police have not found any evidence of shots being fired, but an investigation was still underway.
At this point, no confirmation of shooting can be verified. @LAAirportPD working to confirm reports.
The incident was first reported just before 9 p.m. local time.
This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Here is what we know so far:
1. The LAPD Said the Incident Was Caused by ‘Loud Noises’
Empty bags lining corridor at LAX
The Los Angeles Police Department said the incident was a false alarm caused by “loud noises only,” not a shooting.
Report of shooting at LAX proven to be LOUD NOISES only No Shots Fired No Injuries investigation continues to locate source
The reports of shots fired came in terminals 4, 7 and 8, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Yahoo Finance reporter JP Mangalindan, who is at the airport, tweeted that the incident may have been centered around a baggage area inside one of the terminals.
Shooters at LAX running around. Cops running around. I’m down on the ground.
Alleged shooting at LAX baggage claim where I was headed
People on the ground. Babies screaming. LAX security guards running
Shots allegedly originated at baggage claim. Cops sweeping and clearing terminals. Bags abandoned and strewn in corridors
NBC’s Lester Holt was also at the scene and tweeted about the shooting reports:
Arriving at LAX off flight when people started pouring out of term 4 onto Tarmac. Security said “shots fired. Run!” Now in vehicle on taxiwy
Witness tells me she heard “pops” in lax term 4. Others say they just heard “run!” Those evacuated to Tarmac just allowed back in.
Safely off the LAX Tarmac. PD search of terminals yields no confirm of shots fired. I heard “run” as crowd ran toward us but no shots.
The Los Angeles Police Department told CBS News the reports of a shooter came from at least two 911 callers. They did not provide any other details about the calls.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a “ground stop” because of the security situation, ABC News reports.
FAA: Ground stop issued at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) until the top of the hour.
Traffic was also heavy in the area of the airport:
Onramp leading into LAX closed after reports of an active shooter at the airport
The ground stop was to be in place until at least 10 p.m. local time.
“Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for flight status,” the airport tweeted.
2. A Man Dressed in a Zorro Costume Was Detained During the Chaos
Before things got really crazy – a man in a Zorro costume with a plastic sword was arrested.
During the chaos Sunday night, a man dressed in a Zorro costume, and possibly holding a fake sword, was detained, LAX said.
I’ve heard people think it’s him, but I doubt it because I saw him giving out hugs. #lax #dontrushtojudge
It is not clear if the arrest caused the reports of shots fired. One person who was at the airport said police drawing their guns while detaining “Zorro” may have caused the panic.
Story I’m now hearing at LAX is that a guy dressed as Zorro drew a plastic sword. Police drew their weapons and people ran. Mad. Mad. Mad.
And no, that is not a joke. Man in Zorro suit with plastic sword causes mass panic at LAX. No shooting.
The man has not been identified and it is not known if he is facing charges.
3. Hundreds of People Were Evacuated From Terminals, While Others Were Kept in Planes
LAX going off.
The situation at the airport quickly became chaotic as people were being evacuated from buildings, some onto the tarmac. Others said they were hiding inside the airport.
Passengers evacuated onto the ramp at LAX.
Photos and videos from the scene showed hundreds of people spilling out from the airport’s terminals.
Hundreds evacuating onto runway currently at #LAX
Others said they were not allowed to leave their planes after landing, including Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd:
At LAX. On plane. Not allowing passengers off due to on going security threat. All we know.
One Twitter user said he ran after hearing about an “active shooter.”
At #lax. Ran as fast as I could, suspected active shooter is what I’ve heard… Haven’t seen any injuries
Police working hard to keep us safe #lax fastest response I could have imagined
Bags were left scattered around the terminals:
The airport tweeted that some areas are shut down, saying, “Upper/Departures & Lower/Arrivals levels of Central Terminal Area (CTA) closed. Pls check w/ airlines if heading to LAX.”
By about 9:40 p.m. local time, some people at the airport tweeted they were being allowed back inside the terminals they had been evacuated from.
4. Police Said They Were Searching Every Terminal Before Allowing People Back Inside
Los Angeles Airport Police tweeted that a search was ongoing and urged people to remain calm.
Police searching LAX after reports. All precautions being taken to ensure safety of public. Remain calm. Thank you for your cooperation
Safely evacuated from #LAX United Club. sheltered and blocked doors. 10 cops with assault rifles escorted us out
The airport said on Twitter police are searching every terminal, and will allow people to return after the all-clear is given in each building.
5. A Report of Shots Fired Caused Panic at New York’s JFK Airport Earlier This Month
A report of shots fired, which turned out to be false, caused panic at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York earlier this month in a similar situation to Sunday night’s incident.
There were no shots fired during that August 14 situation, which may have been caused by people clapping and making noise while watching the Olympics at a restaurant in one of the terminals.
Officials have called for a review of security procedures at New York’s airports after reports of confusion among responding NYPD officers and the Port Authority Police, who oversee JFK and LaGuardia Airports.
“The whole incident was unfortunate, but actually we can learn from these situations,” Governor Andrew Cuomo told the New York Times. “I’m putting together a multiagency team of state officials who will then review the response to see how we can make it better.”
Investigators are also working to sort out what caused the reports of gunfire that led to the panic, the Times reports.
Read more about that at the link below:
