Terminal 3 Now Open After LAX Shooting

UPDATE | Nov. 2, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.: LAX Terminal 3 reopened Saturday about 24 hours after a gunman fired shots inside the airport.

Security officials were proud of the timely response and collaborative effort among all law enforcement.

"Within seconds we had officers chasing after the suspect," said LAWA Police Chief Patrick Gannon.

ORIGINAL STORY | Nov. 1, 2013: A shooter armed with an assault rifle opened fire at a Terminal 3 security gate at Los Angeles International Airport Friday at around 9:30am. One TSA agent was killed-- the first ever to be killed in the line of duty--before the gunman was shot by police and taken into custody.

Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said the shooter has been identified by the FBI as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia. 

Gannon said the shooter walked into the terminal and pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began shooting.

According to Gannon, the shooter "proceeded up into the screening area where TSA screeners are and continued shooting," and that the gunman, "went past the screeners and back into the terminal itself." 

Gannon added that the shooter was pursued by police before he was finally detained. His condition is not available at this time. 

Mayor Eric Garcetti said at least three people had been injured by gunfire. FBI officials reported that several others had been injured while trying to escape the airport.

Interim Los Angeles Fire Chief Jim Featherstone said seven people were treated by paramedics at the airport and six were transported to nearby hospitals. 

J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the TSA officer who was killed was a "behavior determination officer" who had recently transferred from Montana.

In a statement issued by Cox he said,

“We are sickened by reports of today’s shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and Transportation Security Officers killed or injured in this heinous act. Thank you to all of our brave TSOs who put their lives on the line every day to keep the flying public safe. AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) is monitoring the situation along with TSA management.”

Chief Gannon confirmed there was only one shooter in this incident and said the gunman, "was the only person armed in this incident."

Mayor Garcetti commended the action taken by first responders saying, "If it were not for their actions, there could have been a lot more damage," and added, "There were more than a hundred more rounds that could have literally killed everybody in that terminal today." 

David Bowdich, FBI special agent in charge for Los Angeles, said Terminal 3 will continue to remain closed as the investigation is conducted. He advised anyone with information to call (888) 226-8443.

The FBI issued a statement saying no determination had been made whether the shooting was connected to terrorism. 

Century Boulevard was closed to traffic and a ground stop was issued for the airport, causing all planes bound for LAX to be held on the ground.

The head of Los Angeles World Airports, Gina Marie Lindsey, said a total of 746 flights were affected by the ground stop, with 46 inbound flights diverted to nearby airports. 

Terminal 3 is expected to remained closed, and passengers were urged by LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports) to keep in contact with their airlines.