Update, 1:22 p.m. PDT: Earlier reports of the gunman’s death appear to be premature. Sources are now saying he is in custody, in critical condition.
LOS ANGELES — The gunman who allegedly opened fire at Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning, killing a TSA agent, is dead, law enforcement sources told the Los Angeles Times.
Sources don’t believe the gunman was tied to any terrorist groups. They are working to determine of he was an employee of the airport.
Witness Brian Keech told the Associated Press he heard “about a dozen gunshots” from inside the security gate at Terminal 3. Police and paramedics surrounded the area.
Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey initially said emergency crews responded to a multi-patient incident. Los Angeles airport police stated a gunman with a high-powered rifle had been shot and secured by law enforcement. .
The incident was reported after 9:30 a.m.
Television images showed two people being wheeled away by firefighters. Triage stations also were seen.
Terminal 3 of the Los Angeles Airport was evacuated and cordoned off and arrival and departure roads to the airport were closed, according to CBS Los Angeles.
“I heard popping and everybody dropped to the ground,” Passenger Robert Perez told sources.
Several passengers took to Twitter to report the incident.
More information will be provided as this story develops.
BREAKING LAX: KDKA reporter @realtimwilliams Passengers run onto the runway because of shooting in terminal 2 pic.twitter.com/19R5ZyIzpt via
— Russ Ptacek, WUSA9 (@RussPtacek) November 1, 2013
UPDATE: CBS LA is reporting that a TSA employee has been shot at LAX. WATCH THE LIVE STREAM: http://t.co/Bpi6pEkgN7 pic.twitter.com/ysGHqM9waj
— CBS 8 San Diego News (@CBS8) November 1, 2013
At #lax. Just had to run onto runway because of shooting in terminal 2 pic.twitter.com/4ZHVCcVmVX
— John Forstrom (@jforstrom) November 1, 2013
#lax. Now on bus to a new terminal after shooting pic.twitter.com/lCYCwrsBYK
— John Forstrom (@jforstrom) November 1, 2013
The scene now. pic.twitter.com/ZaT1cJtde6
— Bill Reiter (@foxsportsreiter) November 1, 2013
Just arrived LAX and was told to take cover. 8 shots fired near terminal 3
— Josh Ellingson (@ellingson) November 1, 2013