TSA agent killed in LAX shooting

(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu))

last updated 8 January 2015

A gunman armed with a rifle opened fire near a security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, killing a TSA officer and injuring at least two others.

ABC News cites a "federal law enforcement source" to back up claims that the man killed was a TSA officer, while NBC News reports that another TSA agent was injured.

So far, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that it has one suspect in custody, and that Terminal 3 — which houses AirTran, Alaska, Horizon, JetBlue, V Australia, and Virgin America — has been cleared.

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Details are still emerging about the suspect. The Los Angeles Times reports that he opened fire with a "high-powered rifle" near the TSA security checkpoint and that no other suspects have been found.

As multiple observers, including The Week's Marc Ambinder, note, airport security checkpoints are especially vulnerable to attack.

Flights have been grounded as the LAPD investigates, with LAX officials giving no timetable as to when they might resume. More on this story as it develops.

UPDATE: Authorities have identified the alleged shooter as 23-year-old Paul Ciancia of New Jersey. Here's the Associated Press:

A law enforcement official said the shooting suspect is Paul Ciancia, 23, from New Jersey. He was wearing fatigues and carrying a bag containing a hand-written note that said he "wanted to kill TSA and pigs," the official said, who was briefed at LAX on the investigation and requested anonymity because was he was not authorized to speak publicly. [AP]

Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.