Police say no gunman has been found and no shots were fired at Los Angeles International Airport after reports of an active shooter brought a scare to hundreds of travelers.
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As a further precaution, flight operations were stopped from 9 to 9:30 p.m. on the airport’s two southern runways because passengers, who self-evacuated from the terminals, ran onto the restricted airfield. The police had also closed the departure and arrival levels of the central terminal area.
“People started dropping bags and running out of the terminal”, she said.
Footage on social media showed the man sitting on a bench at a bus bay outside the airport, surrounded by armed police.
Police received many calls from numerous passengers reporting suspect with firearms and opening fire.
At about 8:45 p.m., a force of uniformed officers responded to multiple 911 calls saying shots were fired in Terminal 8, one of the terminals housing United Airlines, according to Frederick Badlissi, a public information officer for Los Angeles World Airports.
A man with his luggage walks toward Los Angeles International Airport, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016.
The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily held some Los Angeles-bound flights.
Passenger Scott McDonald said he was getting off a plane in the middle of the incident and was told by the crew to get back on. He said looking out the window he could see many evacuees gathered out on the tarmac, a odd sight even for someone who travels nearly constantly.
LAX officials later told NBC that around 20 flights were diverted during the ground stop.
The passengers on social media reported the suspect with firearms.
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He added police were continuing their investigation to locate the source of the noises. However, LAPD confirmed the no firing took place at the airport.
