From Daily Mail
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Los Angeles International Airport thrown into chaos after shooting reports
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People at the airport claim a man opened fire while near a baggage claim
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Terminals were evacuated amid the reports and flights were grounded
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LAPD since said it was a false alarm and that there were ‘loud noises only’
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Woman said she saw shooting and police arrest a man dressed as Zorro
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Video showed officers converging on the man and taking him into custody
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As police approached, the costumed man shouted: ‘it’s a plastic sword’
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Shortly after 2am, LAX said in a statement all terminals were reopened
Passengers were evacuated from Los Angeles International Airport after reports of a gunman opening fire inside one of the terminals.
People at the airport claimed on social media that a man opened fire while near a baggage claim inside an arrivals terminal.
However, it has since been reported the scare was a false alarm, and video emerged of police converging on a man dressed as Zorro and armed with a plastic sword outside one of the terminals and arresting him.The man in costume can be heard shouting at police, ‘it’s a plastic sword’ as they surrounded him with their guns drawn.
A woman could also be heard saying, ‘he didn’t do anything’, as police arrested the man.
The man who filmed the arrest said: ‘Cannot confirm that zorro man caused the ensuing chaos, but it would be one helluva coincidence.’In a statement, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed the false alarm.
‘Reports of a shooting incident at LAX have been proven to be loud noises only,’ a statement read.
Then, shortly after 2am, LAX confirmed everything was back to normal.
‘All terminals have been cleared and passengers are proceeding through federal security screening in all terminals,’ a statement read.Earlier, NBC Nightly News Anchor Lester Holt tweeted at 12:07am EST: ‘arriving at LAX off flight when people started pouring out of term 4 onto Tarmac. Security said “shots fired. Run!” Now in vehicle on taxiwy (sic).
‘Witness tells me she heard “pops” in lax term 4. Others say they just heard “run!” Those evacuated to Tarmac just allowed back in.’
JP Mangalindan, a reporter with Yahoo, also said he was in the terminal at the time of the shooting.
‘Shooters at LAX running around. Cops running around. I’m down on the ground,’ he tweeted at 11:51pm.‘Shots allegedly originated at baggage claim. Cops sweeping and clearing terminals. Bags abandoned and strewn in corridors… Cops just asked me to empty my hands and inquired if I saw and heard anything.’
At 1:08am, he again tweeted: ‘LAX shooting report finally declared onsite as false alarm.’
‘Police searching LAX after reports. All precautions being taken to ensure safety of public. Remain calm. Thank you for your cooperation,’ LA Airport PD tweeted.
LAX also tweeted that the reports of a shooting had not been confirmed and police were investigating, before adding which parts of the airport have been shut.
‘Upper/Departures & Lower/Arrivals levels of Central Terminal Area (CTA) closed. Pls check w/ airlines if heading to LAX (sic),’ a tweet read.
Read Full Story At Daily Mail
