A representative of the Port Authority of NY and New Jersey, which operates the airport, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Officers have evacuated terminal 8 following the reports which were made at around 9.30pm local time on Sunday.
Photos posted on social media show crowds gathering as the terminal was evacuated. However in the midst of the evacuation, some flights were diverted and others were held on the tarmac. Travellers are still experiencing delays and there is still a significant police presence at the airport.
“Preliminary investigation does not indicate shots were fired at JFK”, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey said in a statement late Sunday night. As a safety precaution, Terminals 1 and 8 are closed. “It appears that no shots have been fired”. “No shots were fired”.
NY 1 reported no injuries and no arrests as of 10:30 p.m.
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One law enforcement official suggested “cheering, clapping and banging” from people watching Usain Bolt sprint to victory at the Olympic Games inside the airport may have been misinterpreted as a fight and gunshots. “We will provide additional details as they become available.” .
