Los Angeles Airport Returns to Normal Operation, Shooting Suspect Charged with Murder

JetBlue operations return to LAX starting Sunday

Following a shooting spree that left one TSA agent dead and three other people injured, Los Angeles International Airport returned to normal operations Saturday night, while federal officials said they were charging the 23-year-old suspect in the shooting with two felony counts, including a murder charge that could carry the death penalty if he is convicted.

Airport officials said that all airlines are operating on a normal schedule except for one, JetBlue.  The other airlines that normally operate in Terminal 3, Allegiant Air, Frontier, JetBlue, and Virgin America, were operating at other terminals at LAX during the closure.  Terminal 3 reopened shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday.  JetBlue, which has been operating at Long Beach Airport, will resume normal operations at LAX Sunday morning.

The suspected shooter, identified as Paul Ciancia, was charged with killing a federal employee.  He was also charged with committing a violent act at an airport.  A 39-year-old Transportation Security Administration agent, Gerardo I. Hernandez, died from gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.

To honor Hernandez, the LAX Gateway Pylons along Century Boulevard were illuminated in blue Saturday night.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)