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Los Angeles airport gun suspect charged with murder | Los Angeles airport gun suspect charged with murder |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The man suspected of carrying out Friday's gun attack at Los Angeles Airport has been charged with murder. | The man suspected of carrying out Friday's gun attack at Los Angeles Airport has been charged with murder. |
Prosecutors say the death penalty could be sought if 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia is convicted. He is in hospital after being shot by police. | Prosecutors say the death penalty could be sought if 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia is convicted. He is in hospital after being shot by police. |
A federal US security agent was killed and others wounded in the attack. Police are attempting to establish a motive for the assault. | A federal US security agent was killed and others wounded in the attack. Police are attempting to establish a motive for the assault. |
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has now reopened fully. | Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has now reopened fully. |
About 1,550 flights with 167,000 passengers were affected, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said. | About 1,550 flights with 167,000 passengers were affected, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said. |
'Traitorous minds' | 'Traitorous minds' |
US Attorney Andre Birotte said Mr Ciancia was also charged with commission of violence at an international airport. | US Attorney Andre Birotte said Mr Ciancia was also charged with commission of violence at an international airport. |
Mr Birotte said the gunman had pulled a ".223-calibre M&P-15 assault rifle out of his bag and fired multiple rounds at point-blank range" at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer Gerardo Hernandez, 39. | |
The attorney said the shots did not kill the officer, but the gunman returned to "shoot the wounded officer again". | |
Mr Hernandez's widow, Ana, said he was "a joyful person, always smiling and took pride in his duty to the American public". | |
The FBI has also given more details of a note found on the suspect. | The FBI has also given more details of a note found on the suspect. |
David Bowdich, the head of the FBI's LA office, said: "In the note that was handwritten by the defendant, that was signed by the defendant, we found a statement where he made a conscious decision to kill multiple TSA employees. | |
"He addressed them at one point in the letter, and stated that he wanted to 'instil fear into their traitorous minds'." | "He addressed them at one point in the letter, and stated that he wanted to 'instil fear into their traitorous minds'." |
Mr Bowdich said investigators had not yet been able to interview Mr Ciancia. | Mr Bowdich said investigators had not yet been able to interview Mr Ciancia. |
The gunman appeared to target agents of the TSA, which manages security at US airports. | |
He pushed through screening gates and walked more than 100 yards (90m) into the secure area of the terminal before law enforcement officers caught up with him in a food court. | He pushed through screening gates and walked more than 100 yards (90m) into the secure area of the terminal before law enforcement officers caught up with him in a food court. |
A law enforcement official told the Associated Press news agency that Mr Ciancia was shot in the mouth and leg by two airport police officers. | |
Bystander Leon Saryan told AP he had just passed through security and was looking for a place to replace his shoes and belt when he heard gunshots. | |
As he attempted to hide, the gunman approached him. | As he attempted to hide, the gunman approached him. |
"He looked at me and asked 'TSA?' I shook my head no, and he continued on down toward the gate. He had his gun at the ready and, but for the grace of God, I am here to tell about it.'' | "He looked at me and asked 'TSA?' I shook my head no, and he continued on down toward the gate. He had his gun at the ready and, but for the grace of God, I am here to tell about it.'' |
Allen Cummings, the police chief of Pennsville, New Jersey, where Anthony Ciancia grew up, said the 23-year-old's father Paul had contacted him on Friday as he was concerned about his son in Los Angeles. | Allen Cummings, the police chief of Pennsville, New Jersey, where Anthony Ciancia grew up, said the 23-year-old's father Paul had contacted him on Friday as he was concerned about his son in Los Angeles. |
He said text messages received by family members had prompted the call. | He said text messages received by family members had prompted the call. |
"There was some things in there that made his family feel he may do harm to himself,'' Allen Cummings told reporters. | "There was some things in there that made his family feel he may do harm to himself,'' Allen Cummings told reporters. |
Mr Cummings said Paul Ciancia had also heard from a friend that his son might have obtained a gun. | Mr Cummings said Paul Ciancia had also heard from a friend that his son might have obtained a gun. |
The police chief said he had contacted Los Angeles police, who sent a patrol car to Anthony Ciancia's apartment. Two roommates said they had seen him a day earlier, and that he had appeared fine. | The police chief said he had contacted Los Angeles police, who sent a patrol car to Anthony Ciancia's apartment. Two roommates said they had seen him a day earlier, and that he had appeared fine. |