A couple of weeks JFK Airport shut down after gunfire was reported at the airport. As it turns out, there wasn’t actually gunfire, but rather the chaos and confusion may just have been caused by people cheering on Usain Bolt’s Olympics performance.
Well, LAX has shut down tonight, and we don’t yet know why. Initial reports indicated that there was an active shooter within the past hour, which has led to a massive evacuation.
At this point, no confirmation of shooting can be verified. @LAAirportPD working to confirm reports.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) August 29, 2016
However, it’s now looking like that may not have actually been the case, and that this was instead a hoax or miscommunication. The LAPD is saying that the reports of shooting have been proven to be “loud noises only,” and that no shots were fired.
Report of shooting at LAX proven to be LOUD NOISES only No Shots Fired No Injuries investigation continues to locate source
— Andy Neiman (@LAPDNeiman) August 29, 2016
I imagine we’ll find out more in the coming hours, though in the meantime the airport is closed and there’s a ground stop in effect.
However, the footage of people evacuating is pretty insane, both landside and airside (where we see people being evacuated onto the tarmac):
LAX going off. pic.twitter.com/8hO7lqL5HG
— sam macon (@sayczars) August 29, 2016
@Culvercity311 @Westchester311 delta employee on the phone with 911/ shots heard downstairs at terminal 6. Caller is barricaded in restroom
— Cameron (@CameronColl) August 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/sure_jan/status/770107653041389570
There’s also a video of a man in a Zorro costume with a (supposedly) plastic sword being arrested at gunpoint at the airport around the same time:
Before things got really crazy – a man in a Zorro costume with a plastic sword was arrested. pic.twitter.com/COdNEIb1pL
— sam macon (@sayczars) August 29, 2016
While I can’t imagine he triggered the evacuation, at the same time that would be a bizarre coincidence.
Man, what a world we live in. Here’s to hoping no one was hurt, and that this was a hoax or miscommunication (as frustrating as that is for travelers). Regardless, even if the airport is reopened, it’ll likely be several hours before everything is back to normal, as passengers will have to be screened again. This will also lead to further delays down the line, as planes scheduled to fly to/from LAX tonight will have some time to make up.
Was anyone flying out of LAX tonight who witnessed the chaos?
(Tip of the hat to RT)
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