A man dressed as Zorro was arrested at LA International Airport after reports of an active shooter sparked a chaotic evacuation and flight delays.
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“Cancelled due to security disruptions”, United informed passengers of United Flight 98 from Los Angeles to Melbourne that was scheduled to take off from terminal seven at 10.35pm.
An investigation, which included review of closed-circuit television footage, revealed no shots were fired, according to LAX.
Police eventually blamed the panic on “loud noises”.
The shooting scare on Sunday night, which marked the worst security disruption in almost three years at the second-busiest USA airport, began with police receiving a call reporting gunshots fired at a United Airlines gate inside Terminal 8, police said.
Many passengers however were “being screened by explosive detection K-9 units” before being allowed to enter the terminals for re-screening, she said, adding that reports “of an active shooter at LAX were unfounded”. Concessions stayed open past closing time to serve passengers on delayed or diverted flights. Airlines had to divert 23 flights to other airports. Some passengers fled without an official evacuation and ended up on the airport tarmac, the airport said in a statement.
The man, who had dressed as the swashbuckling western character “Zorro” to pick up an arriving friend, was questioned and released.
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.
Traffic on the upper departure level flowed smoothly during morning rush hour, but cars backed up on the lower arrival level. Security said “shots fired”. He said staff told people to shelter in place.
In the NY incident this month, two people reported hearing what they thought were shots fired, law enforcement sources said then. “There should be an easing of the situation”.
Officers ran into the terminal with guns as other officers patrolled the exterior of the terminal.
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Passengers ran through the terminals and on the tarmac at about 8:45 p.m. “They said I was cool, I was clear, it was misunderstanding”. Airport officials are now getting LAX back to normal operations, although traffic jams surroundings the area continue to be messy.
