Sky Harbor Airport Christmas shooting: Shelter-in-place lifted at Terminal 4; 2 people detained
PHOENIX - Phoenix Police are investigating a shooting and stabbing that happened at Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 4.
It was a scary moment for travelers on their Christmas evening, but the good news is that airport operations have returned to normal.
If you're headed to Terminal 4 on December 26, you'll have to take a detour. The entrance to the B and C gates will remain blocked off during the investigation.
All of this stemmed from police responding to a report of gunshots around 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a group of people involved in a fight, which escalated to one person pulling out a hand gun.
Officers found three victims: one adult female and two adult males who suffered from gunshot wounds. All three were transported to local hospitals.
We're told the adult female's injuries are life-threatening, but the two men are listed in stable condition.
"All five involved in this incident are known to each other. No community members or visitors were hurt outside of this group of individuals. They did not go through TSA yet. I do not recommend bringing guns to an airport," said Sgt. Mayra Reeson. ""I do believe that this was a family dispute that escalated."
After the gunfire, a man and a juvenile girl were detained in an airport parking garage.
"The man was taken to a hospital with at least one cut/stab wound. He is listed in stable condition," said Reeson.
Reeson added, "During the incident four people were injured and two individuals were detained."
No arrests have been made. All the weapons were retrieved by the police. When this was all happening, airport operations at Terminal 4's security checkpoint were temporarily closed, along with the Phoenix Sky Train. It was paused as a precaution.
"No suspects are being sought after, airport operations have resumed to normal business," stated Phoenix Police on Twitter.
If you're heading to the airport, give yourself some extra time, especially if you need to use the B and C gates.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 10:30 p.m. MST and airport officials said operations had returned to normal.
Terminal 4 is the main hub of the airport for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines.
No names have been released in this case.
Police did not immediately release information on possible charges. They were still investigating why the group was at the airport, and whether they were traveling or were there for some other reason.
"Of course this was scary, this was Christmas evening, everybody's trying to get home," Reeson said.
Man arrives at airport after hearing about an active shooter, gets into altercation with Phoenix PD
Police say a man received a text message that there was an active shooter at the airport. He arrived with guns and got into a fight with officers.
Not long after operations resumed, an arrest was made in Terminal 4. Police say a man received a text message that there was an active shooter at the airport. He arrived at the scene with firearms and got into an altercation with a police officer. Investigators say this incident is unrelated to the shooting and stabbing that happened earlier.
The officer wasn't hurt, but the man was detained and will be booked on several charges. His name was not released.