LAX passengers panic after ‘loud noises’ prompt rumors of active shooter, mass evacuation
Passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) frantically fled their terminals following reports of an active shooter on Sunday night. However, the LAPD has since confirmed that “loud noises” were responsible for the panic.
Multiple calls coming from multiple terminals suggested there were sounds of shooting at LAX, and police were quickly dispatched to the scene.
LAX going off. pic.twitter.com/8hO7lqL5HG
— sam macon (@sayczars) August 29, 2016
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said people were possibly barricaded in bathrooms inside terminal 6, Culvercity311 reported on Twitter.
#LAPD. LAX shooting! Active shooter!!! Moving his way around the terminal.
— LA Co Scanner (@LACoScan) August 29, 2016
A report from LA County Scanner's Twitter account said the shooting was taking place at Terminal 8.
Passengers evacuated onto the ramp at LAX. pic.twitter.com/kNSBfvMHxI
— Cody Wendt (@CanyonWendt) August 29, 2016
Another report said that people were barricading themselves inside a cafe at Terminal 8.
Reports of active shooter at LAX unconfirmed. Police investigating @flyLAXairportpic.twitter.com/NYpjoN54tV
— LA Airport PD (@LAAirportPD) August 29, 2016
The LA Airport Police Department tweeted: "Police searching LAX after reports [of shooting]. All precautions being taken to ensure safety of public. Remain calm. Thank you for your cooperation."
Active shooter at #LAX we're all evacuating holeee shit pic.twitter.com/hbadkjoV0R
— Dennis (@sure_jan) August 29, 2016
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop at the airport until 10pm local time, and authorities closed the airport to incoming traffic.
So this is what happens when someone screams "SHOOTER" at #LAX - panic and abandoned everything 😕😰 pic.twitter.com/c7TrX4SS0m
— Andrea Sper (@Andreafsper) August 29, 2016
READ MORE: JFK Airport evacuated over ‘gunshots’ which most likely was Olympic cheering
Gunfire #activeshooter reported at #LAX T7 pic.twitter.com/0lDir446I8
— James Magee (@Superatr) August 29, 2016
Active #shooter in #LAX. We all had to run out. We're standing on the tarmac waiting for instructions. pic.twitter.com/mxCDxXfPOL
— Douglas Lee (@twitta_D) August 29, 2016
But the commanding officer of LAPD media relations, Andy Neiman, eventually tweeted that “loud noises” were the cause of the report – not a shooting.
INBOX: Official statement from Los Angeles International Airport pic.twitter.com/Ibv59cmzxZ
— Michael van Poppel (@mpoppel) August 29, 2016
“No shots fired, no injuries. Investigation continues to locate source,” he wrote.
Report of shooting at LAX proven to be LOUD NOISES only No Shots Fired No Injuries investigation continues to locate source
— Andy Neiman (@LAPDNeiman) August 29, 2016
The Los Angeles Fire Department also said that “no significant incident” was noted, KTLA reported.
A news reporter for a local CBS affiliate tweeted that all is clear at the airport, but that everyone must be screened again by TSA.
Before the shooting reports, LAPD officers arrested a man at the airport dressed as Zorro. It was not immediately clear if the arrest was connected to the incident. Video footage posted on Twitter shows the man, apparently carrying a plastic sword, lying on the ground surrounded by six officers.
Before things got really crazy - a man in a Zorro costume with a plastic sword was arrested. pic.twitter.com/COdNEIb1pL
— sam macon (@sayczars) August 29, 2016
It comes just two weeks after reports of a shooting at JFK Airport in New York prompted similar chaos after witnesses said they heard gunshots. An unnamed police source later told NBC that the noises were likely from enthusiastic fans watching the Rio Olympics. A local radio station said the noises were probably from fire crackers or a car with a noisy engine.
