TSA Employee Killed Inside LAX

The LA Times reports that a TSA employee has been killed in today's shooting at a security checkpoint inside Los Angeles International Airport. Details about the shooter remain in flux. The latest reports suggest he was wounded by police in the ensuing shootout but remains alive and in custody. And the LAT quotes a federal official as saying he was a ticketed passenger, contradicting earlier reports that he was a TSA employee. Most accounts say two other TSA agents were hit by gunfire, though their conditions are unknown. Other people may have been injured running from the chaos. Police say the gunman entered Terminal 3 about 9:20am, pulled a high-powered rifle from a bag, and opened fire. Police quickly engaged him in a shootout.

The FAA halted flights to the airport as a precaution, reports AP, but the mayor says the situation is now under control. One witness recalls the scene to CNN: "I heard a popping sound, and everybody was diving for cover. The TSA said there was a shooting in the terminal and evacuate the building." Also there was Fox Sports columnist Bill Reiter, who tweeted, "After the initial burst of gunfire and hiding, people started jumping over one another, jumping off chairs, pushing each other. Chaos & fear." (Update: The shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Paul Ciancia.)