Shots fired inside terminal at JFK Airport in New York: Reports
People evacuated from terminal at JFK Airport in New York after unconfirmed reports of shots fired.
The possible shooting took place at John F. Kennedy Airport’s Terminal 8 around 9:30 pm on Sunday.
According to witnesses, at least two shots were fired in the terminal.
Police were searching for a suspect — or suspects — and evacuated the area. No injuries have been reported.
Panic erupted around 10:15 pm in Terminal 1 with another report of shots fired.
Demetrius Pipkin, a passenger, was in Terminal 8 when the reported shots were fired.
“We were previously told to get on the floor and take cover behind any and everything we could find,” said Pipkin.
He called the area a “madhouse” with people running all over but did not know where to go.
“When we finally were able to find exits it led to the runway, which is not necessarily the safest place either,” Pipkin said.
Photos posted on social media show Terminal 8 being evacuated.
Airport authorities said in a statement that there was “no actual confirmation” of shots fired at inside the airport and that Terminal 8 was evacuated as a precaution.
“Preliminary investigation does not indicate shots were fired at JFK. There are no injuries. At this time, no gun shells or other evidence of shots fired has been found,” Scott Ladd, a spokesman at Port Authority said.
“The terminal was evacuated out of an abundance of caution. Travelers should contact their carriers. There is substantial PAPD and NYPD presence at JFK and LGA. The investigation continues.”
Several passengers tweeted that their flights were being diverted from the airport.