Suspect shot, in custody after gunfight at LAX; Air NZ flights disrupted
"Multiple people" taken to hospital after airport shooting spree, firefight. UPDATED with Air NZ statement.
UPDATE: Air NZ has released the following statement:
Flight disruption at LAX following shooting incident
Air New Zealand operations into and out of Los Angeles are expected to be impacted by the shooting incident at the United States airport this morning.
The terminal from which Air New Zealand operates has been evacuated and traffic around the airport is at a standstill.
NZ6 from Auckland to Los Angeles has recently landed, NZ2 from Auckland to Los Angeles is due in later this morning and NZ1 from London to Los Angeles is due in this evening. At this stage passengers will be disembarked at an alternate terminal, but again disruption is likely.
Air New Zealand has three further flights due to depart Los Angeles today:
- NZ2 from Los Angeles to London due to depart 1700 local time
- NZ5 from Los Angeles to Auckland due to depart 2300 local time
- NZ1 from Los Angeles to Auckland due to depart 2300 local time
Passengers requiring further information should call the Air New Zealand Contact Centre:
- New Zealand 0800 737 000
- United States 1800 262 1234
EARLIER: A male suspect has been shot and is In custody following a shooting spree at LAX, US media reports.
All flights were grounded and thousands of passengers evacuated following gunfire early Friday (Saturday NZ time) at Los Angeles international Airport.
Authorities called the shooting a "multi-patient" incident. UCLA Medical Center says it has received three male victims, one in critical condition.
CNN reports a TSA (Transport Safety Authority) agent was fired on and killed before the suspect was shot and arrested.
The suspect was armed with an assault rifle. He entered LAX Terminal 3 and started shooting at 9.20am local time (Air New Zealand uses LAX Terminals 6 and 7, operated by Star Alliance partner United). Police and TSA agents then pursued the suspect through the terminal.
Freeways leading to the Los Angeles airport have been closed.
All flights out of LAX will be "significantly late", authorities say.
NBR staff
Sat, 02 Nov 2013
Sat, 02 Nov 2013
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Suspect shot, in custody after gunfight at LAX; Air NZ flights disrupted
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