ADVISORY: LAX Police Incident

Update #2 at 11:28 p.m.:

An estimated 4,600 arriving and departing passengers are estimated to have been impacted at LAX due to the incident.  Both Delta Airlines (Terminal 5) and American Airlines (Terminal 4) are reporting a total of 60 delayed flights (inbound and outbound) for this evening, but no cancellations at this point in time.  Delta Airlines diverted four arriving flights to regional airports and those flights are expected to refuel and then continue on to LAX tonight.  Airport Operations staff reports that both airlines are expected to return to normal operations within the next two hours. 

Delta and American airline passengers are advised to check with their airlines or their airlines' websites for flight status before coming to the airport. 

Official information about airport conditions is available on Twitter @LAX_Official.

Updated #1 at 10:24 p.m.: 

According to airport officials, a woman driving on the Lower Level had a medical incident which caused her to lose control of her car and hit several other vehicles in front of Terminal 5.  When Airport Police officers responded to the car accident, someone(s) reported to the officers that shots had been fired inside Terminal 5.  When the officers responded inside the terminal, jittery passengers self-evacuated. 

While this was occurring, an anonymous caller to Airport Police reported there was man with a weapon at Gate 45 in Terminal 4.  Officers responded to that location and found nothing.  Out of an abundance of caution, Terminal 4 was fully evacuated so that the terminal could be fully searched and cleared.

Terminals 4 and 5 have both been cleared and repopulation is completed in Terminal 5 and still underway at Terminal 4.

At least 2,000 passengers are estimated to have either self-evacuated from Terminal 5 or were evacuated by Airport Police from Terminal 4 for cautionary purposes.

Both Delta Airlines (Terminal 5) and American Airlines (Terminal 4) are reporting some delayed flights, with two diversions to the regional airports, but no cancellations at this point in time.

Delta and American airline passengers are advised to check with their airlines or their airlines websites for status of their flights before coming to the airport. 

Official information about airport conditions is available on Twitter @LAX_Official and at www.lawa.org/lax.

Initial statement at 8:52 p.m.:

Shortly before 7:30 p.m. tonight, Los Angeles Airport Police responded to a report from passengers that shots were fired at Terminal 5.  However, upon responding Airport Police has confirmed that no shots were fired.  A multiple-car traffic accident occurred on the Lower/Arrivals Level Roadway in front of Terminal 5 which caused a loud noise.   Passengers self-evacuated from Terminal 5 onto the sidewalk.

While this was occurring, an anonymous caller to Airport Police reported there was man with a weapon at Gate 45 in Terminal 4.  Officers responded to that location and found nothing.  Out of an abundance of caution, Terminal 4 was fully evacuated so that the terminal could be fully searched and cleared.  Terminal 4 has been secured and cleared for repopulation with employees returning to work locations first and passengers rescreening through TSA passenger security screening.

All vehicular traffic in the Central Terminal Area has been diverted from the Upper Level Roadway to the Lower Level until further notice.

Flight operations in Terminal 4 have been temporarily disrupted, but are expected to resume once passengers rescreen and return to their boarding gates.