LAX Shooting: Lone gunman behind airport attack, shooter was brought down by police, Los Angeles officials say
(CBS) LOS ANGELES - Authorities believe a lone gunman was behind the shooting at Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning that left multiple victims wounded, Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said at a press conference.
Gannon would not detail how many were injured in the incident or if there were any fatalities. He did say that the gunman was taken into custody following an officer-involved shooting.
A law enforcement source told CBS News that a TSA officer was killed in
the shooting, and that other TSA officers were wounded.
Officials say it is a "static situation."
Gannon said the gunman entered Terminal 3 of the airport at about 9:30 a.m., PST, pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began to open fire. The gunman then proceeded up into the screening area and continued shooting, according to Gannon. He said the gunman got "far, very far back into the terminal."
He said the individual was tracked through the airport and authorities engaged him in gunfire inside Terminal 3. It was then that the suspect was taken into custody.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Jim Featherstone said the Los Angeles Fire Department treated seven individuals and transported six of those individuals to area hospitals.
Dr. Lynne McCullough has confirmed Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center received three male victims from the incident. She said one of those victims is in critical condition and the other two patients are in fair condition.
CBS Los Angeles confirms one 40-year-old male is dead in connection to the shooting.
Officials would not release the identity of the suspect and said they could not confirm reports that the gunman was a TSA employee. A federal official tells CBS News the shooter was not a current or former TSA employee.
The investigation is being handled by the FBI.
CBS News' John Miller reported that a law enforcement source said the gunman was wearing a camouflage battle dress uniform and that a large box of ammunition was found at the scene.
Gina Marie Lindsey, Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports, said in Friday's press conference that LAX is still accepting some incoming flights. She said almost every flight out of the airport Friday will be significantly late.