Hundreds of Australians were caught in chaos at Los Angeles International Airport after a false report of an active shooter.
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The incident was similar to one that occurred two weeks earlier in NY, when unconfirmed reports of gunfire at Kennedy International Airport led the police to evacuate two terminals there, causing hysteria among passengers whose fears were exacerbated by unconfirmed reports spread on social media.
Investigators are attempting to determine what prompted the first of several emergency calls Sunday night that falsely reported a gunman at Los Angeles International Airport.
NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt had just arrived at LAX when he heard reports of an active shooter.
Several doezen people made their way down two flights of stairs out of a restricted exit and onto the tarmac, she said.
Still, the panic brought the airport’s traffic to a halt as terminals were cleared and incoming flights were partially shut down for 30 minutes.
Airport police Officer Rob Pedregon said the initial emergency call came in Terminal 8 around 8:45 p.m. Sunday.
The man, who had dressed as the swashbuckling western character “Zorro” to pick up an arriving friend, was questioned and released.
The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers, an organization representing airport police departments at major hubs around the country, issued a statement just days ago that seemed to presage a copy-cat episode, warning of the need for “better-coordinated video surveillance systems, coupled with increased access and footage of the entire airport”. Terminals 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were affected, with many people running from the terminals, including onto the tarmac. Loud noises spurred the reports, and police are still investigating to find the source of them. The panic started soon afterward, he said.
Departure and arrival roadways into the Central Terminal Area reopened at about 10:50 p.m. Sunday, LAX officials said.
Cut on cue, look into the camera, slight pause, responded Zorro: ‘What happened was that somebody called and said there’s a man in dark clothing out here and they got scared I guess.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) – A false report of gunshots that sent panicked travelers fleeing from Los Angeles International Airport came right after officers with weapons drawn detained a masked man dressed in black and possibly carrying a plastic sword, officials said.
