Hundreds of passengers at the John F Kennedy International Airport in NY on Monday evacuated from two terminals following reports that multiple shots had been fired in one of the world’s busiest airport, triggering scenes of panic and chaos.
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Video taken by a witness Sunday night contains a loud noise that could be mistaken for the reported gunshot, but law enforcement officials have told ABC News that this is not the case.
Authorities scoured the terminal and determined no shots had been fired.
“Everyone flattened themselves under the seats for about 15 minutes until we were led out of the terminal”, 72-year-old Bruce Cummings told the paper.
Referencing the NBC report, the Post noted that Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt won the 100-meter dash at 9:30 p.m., concurrent with the first reports of shots fired. “No shots were fired”, New York Police Department Chief of Special Operations Division Chief Harry Wedin tweeted.
Some travelers also reacted to the incident on Twitter.
“Preliminary investigation does not indicate shots were fired at JFK”. There are no injuries. No one was injured and authorities found no firearms, ammunition, shell casings or other evidence of gunfire. Travellers should contact their carriers. There is substantial PAPD and NYPD presence at JFK and LGA.
The airport starting resuming normal operations several hours after the initial reports of gunshots.
As the world is now on high alert due to recent acts of terrorism and gun violence, it’s a relief to learn that this was only a scare, and the chaos was likely the result of excitement and happiness as opposed to turmoil and devastation.
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Evacuations were ordered, flights were grounded and diverted, and the Van Wyck Expressway approaching the airport was shut down. “Was it Usain Bolt or the sound of luggage falling?”
