Paul Anthony Ciancia allegedly opened fire at the Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning killing a TSA employee and injuring at least six people. Police have released more details surrounding the LAX shooting spree that caused pure chaos and prompted the evacuation of Terminal 3.
Federal authorities identified the suspect as Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, who they say was carrying an assault rifle, 100 rounds of ammunition and a handwritten note describing his intent to kill TSA employees and "pigs." He also had "a bunch of threatening language directed at the TSA and lots of anti-government rants," a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
The suspected gunman was detained after being shot in the chest four times, according to an intelligence source briefed by Los Angeles police. As of Friday evening, he was receiving medical attention at a hospital, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge David Bowdich.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a law enforcement official said the note referred to how the gunman believed his constitutional rights were being violated by TSA searches and that he was a "pissed-off patriot" upset at former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. In addition, authorities said that they found materials on the suspect in regard to a rant that appeared to refer to the New World Order and anti-government claims. The exact motive for the shooting, however, remains unclear.
Ciancia's family members told police Friday afternoon that he mentioned taking his own life in a text message to his younger brother. They also admitted that the suspect sent his brother and father "angry, rambling" texts venting about the government, living in Los Angeles and his unhappiness generally, an intelligence source said, according to CNN. Nonetheless, they said that they are still "shocked" by the shooting.
Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Armando Hogan said five people were taken to hospitals after the shooting: the gunman, the TSA officer who died, two other people who were shot and one person with a broken ankle. A sixth person was treated at the scene for ringing in the ears from gunfire. The TSA said both surviving shooting victims are TSA officers. The TSA identified the slain officer as Gerardo I. Hernandez, 39.