What led to the 2013 LAX shooting. How did Paul Ciancia target TSA officers. What was the outcome of Ciancia’s trial. How did the attack impact victims and airport security.
The 2013 LAX Shooting: A Timeline of Events
On November 1, 2013, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) became the scene of a tragic and premeditated attack that left one Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer dead and three others injured. The perpetrator, Paul Ciancia, then 23 years old, carried out a targeted assault on TSA personnel, forever changing the lives of those involved and raising questions about airport security.
The attack unfolded at approximately 9:15 AM when Ciancia was dropped off at Terminal 3 by an unsuspecting roommate. Carrying a case fashioned from luggage pieces, he entered the terminal and withdrew a semiautomatic rifle he had purchased months earlier. Instead of firing indiscriminately, Ciancia specifically targeted TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez, who was checking travel documents near a podium.
After initially shooting Hernandez, Ciancia proceeded up an escalator towards the security checkpoint. Upon noticing that Hernandez was still alive, he returned and shot the officer multiple times, ultimately firing 12 shots in total. The gunman then continued to the security checkpoint, where he injured two more TSA officers and a teacher before being apprehended by law enforcement.
Paul Ciancia’s Motivations and Mindset
Understanding the motivations behind such a violent act is crucial in preventing future incidents. What drove Paul Ciancia to target TSA officers specifically? Investigators discovered a handwritten note in Ciancia’s luggage that provided insight into his mindset. The note railed against what he called TSA’s “Nazi checkpoints” and expressed a dangerous fixation on TSA officers, despite their limited authority and unarmed status.
Ciancia’s actions were fueled by a misguided sense of patriotism and a distorted view of liberty. In a message to his sister shortly before the attack, he wrote, “There wasn’t a terrorist attack. There was a pissed-off patriot trying to water the tree of liberty.” This statement reveals a troubling misconception about the role of violence in political expression.
Ciancia’s Background and Path to Radicalization
Paul Ciancia, originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, had moved to Los Angeles approximately 18 months before the attack. During his sentencing hearing, he provided an unusual and largely unapologetic account of the months leading up to the shooting. Ciancia described contemplating suicide but deciding instead to spend his life savings of $26,000 before taking action.
It was during this period that Ciancia became interested in the gun control debate, ultimately concluding, “I need to get a gun.” He also alluded to an alleged incident of harassment by Los Angeles police, though he provided no specific details. These factors, combined with his belief that TSA officers were harassing people, including those with disabilities, contributed to his decision to target the agency.
The Trial and Sentencing of Paul Ciancia
How did the justice system respond to Ciancia’s actions? In 2016, Paul Ciancia pleaded guilty to murder and other charges as part of a plea deal. This agreement saw federal prosecutors withdraw their decision to seek the death penalty for the shootings. On Monday, August 21, 2024, U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez sentenced Ciancia to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
During the sentencing hearing, Ciancia addressed the courtroom, which was filled with law enforcement officers, victims, and family members of Gerardo Hernandez. His statement was described as odd and mostly unapologetic, focusing on his own experiences and motivations rather than expressing remorse for the harm he caused.
Reactions from Victims and Law Enforcement
The sentencing hearing provided an opportunity for victims and their families to confront Ciancia and express the impact of his actions. Tony Grigsby, one of the TSA officers shot by Ciancia, stated after the hearing, “He didn’t win. He’s doing life in prison. …He’s not going to be able to hurt anyone else ever again.”
Brian Ludmer, a teacher who was among the three people wounded in the rampage, rebuked Ciancia for his “bizarre sense of remorse.” Ludmer emphasized that Ciancia should apologize to the TSA officers he shot and their families, stating, “You need to apologize to them every day, and it still would not be enough.”
U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker highlighted the targeted nature of the attack, saying, “The TSA officers were targeted because of the uniform they wore and because they were doing their job that day at Los Angeles airport keeping all of us safe.” She added that the life sentence without the possibility of parole “reflects the grievous nature of the crime.”
Impact on Airport Security and TSA Procedures
The 2013 LAX shooting raised important questions about airport security and the safety of TSA officers. How did this incident influence security measures at airports across the United States? In the aftermath of the attack, airports and the TSA reevaluated their security protocols to better protect both passengers and staff.
One significant change was the increased presence of armed law enforcement officers near TSA checkpoints. This measure aims to provide a rapid response to any potential threats and serve as a deterrent to would-be attackers. Additionally, many airports enhanced their emergency response plans and communication systems to ensure better coordination in crisis situations.
Ongoing Challenges in Airport Security
Despite improvements, maintaining security in busy airport environments remains a complex challenge. Balancing the need for thorough screening with the desire for efficient passenger flow requires constant evaluation and adaptation. The TSA continues to invest in new technologies and training programs to enhance its ability to detect and respond to threats while minimizing disruption to travelers.
The Human Cost: Remembering Gerardo Hernandez
While discussions of security measures and legal proceedings are important, it’s crucial to remember the human cost of this tragedy. Gerardo Hernandez, the TSA officer killed in the attack, left behind a family and colleagues who continue to mourn his loss. How can we honor the memory of those affected by such senseless violence?
Hernandez, who was 39 at the time of his death, was the first TSA officer to be killed in the line of duty since the agency’s creation following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. His colleagues remembered him as a dedicated professional and a friendly presence in the often stressful airport environment.
Supporting Victims and Their Families
The aftermath of violent incidents like the LAX shooting extends far beyond the immediate event. Survivors and families of victims often face long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Various organizations and support groups have emerged to provide assistance and advocacy for those affected by such tragedies, emphasizing the importance of long-term care and remembrance.
Lessons Learned: Preventing Future Attacks
What can be done to prevent similar incidents in the future? The LAX shooting highlighted the need for a multi-faceted approach to security that goes beyond physical measures. This includes improved mental health resources, better information sharing between agencies, and continued public education about the role of security personnel in protecting public safety.
The Role of Community Awareness
One key lesson from the Ciancia case is the importance of community awareness and reporting. Friends, family members, or colleagues may notice concerning behavior or statements that could indicate a person is considering violence. Encouraging people to report such concerns to appropriate authorities, while also ensuring proper evaluation and support, can play a crucial role in preventing future attacks.
The Broader Context: Violence Against Public Servants
The targeting of TSA officers in this attack raises broader questions about violence against public servants. How can society better protect those who work to ensure public safety? This incident is part of a concerning trend of attacks on individuals in uniform, from law enforcement officers to transportation workers.
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including enhanced security measures, improved training for de-escalation and self-defense, and efforts to build stronger relationships between public servants and the communities they serve. It also calls for a broader societal conversation about the value of public service and the importance of respecting those who perform essential roles in our society.
The Role of Media and Public Discourse
The way violent incidents are reported and discussed in the media and public forums can have a significant impact on public perception and potential copycat behavior. Responsible reporting that focuses on the human impact of such events, rather than sensationalizing the perpetrator or their actions, can play a role in shaping a more constructive public discourse around violence and security.
Additionally, promoting accurate information about the roles and responsibilities of agencies like the TSA can help combat misconceptions that might fuel resentment or hostility towards public servants.
Moving Forward: Balancing Security and Civil Liberties
As society continues to grapple with the threat of targeted violence, a crucial question emerges: How can we enhance security measures without unduly infringing on civil liberties? The challenge lies in finding a balance that protects public safety while preserving the freedoms that define open societies.
This ongoing debate involves legal experts, security professionals, civil liberties advocates, and policymakers. It touches on issues such as privacy rights, the extent of surveillance in public spaces, and the appropriate use of screening technologies. The goal is to develop approaches that are both effective in preventing violence and respectful of individual rights and dignity.
Technological Advancements in Security
Advancements in technology offer new possibilities for enhancing security while potentially reducing inconvenience for travelers. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced scanning technologies are being explored as ways to improve threat detection while streamlining the screening process. However, the implementation of these technologies must be carefully considered to address concerns about privacy and potential biases.
As we move forward, the lessons learned from incidents like the LAX shooting will continue to inform and shape our approach to public safety and security. By combining enhanced physical security measures with efforts to address the root causes of violence and promote community resilience, we can work towards a safer future for all.
LAX gunman who targeted TSA officers is sentenced to life in prison
The gunman whose 2013 rampage at Los Angeles International Airport left a Transportation Security Administration officer dead and three other people injured was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the premeditated attack in which he targeted federal officers.
Paul Ciancia, 26, had pleaded guilty to murder and other charges earlier this year as part of a deal in which federal prosecutors withdrew their decision to seek the death penalty for the shootings at the airport’s bustling Terminal 3.
“He didn’t win. He’s doing life in prison. …He’s not going to be able to hurt anyone else ever again,” Tony Grigsby, one of the TSA officers shot by Ciancia, said after the hearing Monday.
Before U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez handed down the life term, which was required under sentencing rules, Ciancia addressed the downtown courtroom full of law enforcement officers, victims and family members of Gerardo Hernandez, the TSA agent who was killed.
Dressed in a white jumpsuit, with his legs shackled to a chain around his waist, Ciancia gave an odd, mostly unapologetic account of the months leading up to the violence. He described wanting to commit suicide before the shooting, but said he decided first to spend the remainder of his life savings, which amounted to $26,000. During this time, he said he became interested in the debate over gun control and concluded, “I need to get a gun.”
Ciancia alluded to an incident in which he claimed he was harassed by Los Angeles police but gave no specifics, and he indicated that the harassment led him on a path toward violence.
“I knew exactly how I was going to die. I was going to take up arms against my own government,” he said.
As he planned where and whom to attack, Ciancia made reference to deciding against two other targets before settling on the TSA, but did not elaborate. He focused his anger on the TSA, he said, after coming to believe its officers were harassing people, including disabled people.
“I wanted to make a statement!” he said in court, his voice rising.
Ciancia apologized to the teacher who was among three people wounded in the rampage, expressing deep regret. But he never mentioned the effect of the shooting on the TSA officer he killed or two other officers who were wounded.
The teacher, Brian Ludmer, spoke after Ciancia and rebuked him for his “bizarre sense of remorse,” telling him he should apologize to the TSA officers he shot and their families.
“You need to apologize to them every day, and it still would not be enough,” he said.
Ciancia smirked at times as a member of the prosecution team spoke about the effect the shooting has had on the lives of the victims. Throughout the hearing, he looked around the courtroom frequently, seemingly trying to make eye contact with his victims and other law enforcement officers.
“The TSA officers were targeted because of the uniform they wore and because they were doing their job that day at Los Angeles airport keeping all of us safe,” said U.
S. Atty. Eileen Decker. “The sentence today for Mr. Ciancia of life without the possibility of parole reflects the grievous nature of the crime.”
Ciancia, who grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and moved to Los Angeles about 18 months before the attack, harbored an odd, dangerous fixation on TSA officers, who screen travelers at the nation’s airports, even though they are not armed and have little authority.
After the attack, investigators found a handwritten note inside Ciancia’s luggage in which he railed against the TSA for its “Nazi checkpoints” and the presumption that “every American is a terrorist.” The rampage would be a success, he wrote, if he managed to kill a TSA worker.
“There wasn’t a terrorist attack,” he wrote to his sister shortly before the attack. “There was a pissed-off patriot trying to water the tree of liberty.”
About 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2013, Ciancia was dropped off by an unsuspecting roommate in front of the third of LAX’s nine terminals.
He walked through the doors, and from a case he had fashioned from pieces of luggage, Ciancia pulled out a semiautomatic rifle he had purchased months earlier.
Instead of shooting wildly into the crowd of travelers, Ciancia took aim at Hernandez, who was near a podium checking passengers’ travel documents before they went on to a security checkpoint on the floor above, according to court papers.
Ciancia shot the TSA officer, who fell to the floor. The gunman then went up an escalator to the security checkpoint.
Seeing that Hernandez was still alive, Ciancia walked back down the upward-moving escalator, stood over the officer and shot him again and again. Hernandez was shot 12 times in total, according to court papers.
Ciancia then climbed the stairs to the security checkpoint, opening fire on two more TSA officers, who tried to flee alongside panicked travelers toward the terminal’s gate area. Both officers suffered non-life-threatening wounds; Ludmer, the teacher, was shot in the leg.
Moving deeper into the terminal, Ciancia reportedly asked cowering people whether they worked for the TSA. Other passengers fled onto the tarmac.
Within minutes, police officers confronted Ciancia, shooting him in the head. After life-saving surgery and weeks of recovery, Ciancia was put behind bars, where he has remained since. Authorities recovered a total of 500 rounds of ammunition Ciancia brought to the airport.
Hernandez, a father of two children, was the first TSA officer slain on duty since the agency was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in an attempt to tighten security in America’s transportation networks.
The chaotic and disorganized response to the shooting by emergency personnel led to a highly critical report on the event that found widespread problems rooted in the failure of various police and fire departments to communicate with each other.
In recent court filings, prosecutors from the U.S. attorney’s office made vague references to mental health problems suffered by Ciancia that were discussed at length in a sealed report.
“The government does not dispute that defendant has some combination of disorders … and concurs that he has had suicidal ideation in the past,” wrote Assistant U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald added that Ciancia has shown no remorse for the rampage and remains “resolute regarding his continuing ‘hatred’ of at least certain federal employees.”
Gutierrez, the judge, recommended Ciancia be housed at a medical detention facility in Minnesota to receive psychiatric treatment.
For more news on federal courts in Southern California, follow me on Twitter: @joelrubin
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UPDATES:
6:20 p.
m.: This article was updated with more details from the sentencing hearing and a comment from U.S. Atty. Eileen Decker.
1:55 p.m.: This article was updated with the sentence from Monday’s court hearing.
This article was originally published at 7:30 a.m.
LAX shooting kills TSA officer, wounds others
Updated at 10:35 p.m. ET
A photo of Paul Ciancia, a suspect in the LAX shooting on November 1, 2013.
CBS News
A gunman walked into Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning, pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and opened fire,killing a Transportation Security Administration officer at a security checkpoint and wounding two other TSA officers, authorities said.
Late Friday evening, the TSA identified the slain officer as Gerardo I. Hernandez, 39, the first officer killed in the line of duty in the agency’s 12-year history.
TSA Administrator John Pistole said in a message to employees Friday evening that “no words can explain the horror that we experienced today.”
The gunman was wounded in a shootout with airport police and taken into custody, authorities said. His condition was not disclosed.
U.S. law enforcement officials confirmed to CBS News correspondent Bob Orr that the suspect has been identified as Paul Ciancia, 23, of Pennsville, N.J. Officials said he also spent some time in the Los Angeles area.
A preliminary review of government terror databases and watchlists found no connections to Ciancia, and he does not have a significant police record, Orr reported.
CBS News correspondent John Miller reported that according to investigators, Ciancia had a gun in his bag. Inside the bag, investigators came up with notes saying that the TSA were fascists and pigs, anti-American rantings, anti-TSA rantings and references to the new world order, which is another growing conspiracy group that believes the world is going to be taken over by forces and black helicopters and so on.
LAX shooting investigation
01:22
Miller also reported that Ciancia on Friday texted his parents from L.A. to New Jersey and said he was going to kill himself. They called the police. There was a response to his house. Apparently they didn’t make contact with him but a roommate who didn’t know where he was.
Trending News
Law enforcement sources told CBS News the suspect was wounded in the incident but survived and is in custody. Preliminary information indicated that the suspect may have been an off-duty TSA employee, but a federal official told CBS News the suspect was not a current or former employee of the agency.
Shooting at LAX
22 photos
The officer who was killed was one of the behavioral detection officers that are stationed throughout the airport, looking for suspicious behavior, said J.
David Cox Sr., national president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
Initially, Cox said at least three other TSA officers were wounded. Their conditions were not disclosed. Later in the day, the TSA said two other officers were injured.
The Los Angeles Fire Department revised its total number of victims taken to the hospital from six to five, saying one had been double counted. Those numbers included the gunman, the slain TSA officer and one person who broke their ankle.
Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon said during the news conference that the gunman pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began to open fire inside the terminal at 9:20 a.m.
“He proceeded up into the screening area, where TSA screeners are, and continued shooting,” Gannon said.
A gun is seen on the ground inside Los Angeles International Airport following a shooting Nov. 1, 2013.
@Pascaljosh via Twitter
The gunman went past the checkpoint into the secured area of the airport, Gannon said.
Airport Police officers tracked the gunman inside the terminal and eventually engaged with him. He was successfully taken into custody after what Gannon described as an “officer-involved shooting.”
“As you can imagine, a large amount of chaos took place during this entire incident,” said Gannon. “We believe at this point that there was a lone shooter, that he acted, at least right now, was the only person that was armed in this incident.”
Gannon said police completed a security sweep of the entire airport.
The suspect entered the terminal wearing military-like clothing when he opened fire, law enforcement sources told CBS News. Miller reported Friday evening that, according to multiple law enforcement sources, Ciancia had five fully loaded magazines on his person and that ammo was found in a bag nearby. A law enforcement source said “he had enough ammo to kill everyone in that terminal.”
Passenger Billy Bey saw the gunman. “He was walking,” Bey told CBS News, as reported by correspondent Carter Evans.
“I thought everything was fine and maybe this guy was just looking for his gate now. But then I noticed he had a gun at his side, a large gun. So at that point I got pretty scared.”
Passenger Robert Perez told CBS Los Angeles that TSA officers came through the terminal and yelled that a man had a gun.
“I heard popping and everybody dropped to the ground,” Perez said.
Photo taken by witness of the scene at LAX airport after a shooting in Terminal 3
CBS
As Evans reported, photos were taken moments after police shot the gunman; one can see his rifle on the floor. A man who matches the description of the gunman was wheeled into a Los Angeles hospital. Outside Terminal 3, paramedics assisted the wounded including a TSA officer who appeared to be unconscious. Evans added that many passengers described a moment of disbelief when they first heard the shots.
People locked themselves in airline offices. They scrambled for cover under airline ticket counters and one couple said they ran for an exit door onto the tarmac and hid under a plane.
Terminal 3 serves such airlines as Virgin America, AirTran, Spirit Airlines, Horizon Air and JetBlue. While that terminal remained closed, much of the rest of the airport continued operating, though with some disruptions. Some LAX-bound flights that were already in the air were diverted to other airports.
The ripple effect across the country delayed thousands of travelers. Hundreds of stranded passengers streamed into hotels near LAX.
It was not the first shooting at LAX. On July 4, 2002, a limousine driver opened fire at the airport’s El Al ticket counter, killing an airline employee and a person who was dropping off a friend at the terminal. Police killed the man.
Meanwhile, President Obama called the head of the Transportation Security Administration to express his condolences to the families and friends of the TSA officer who was shot and killed and the two other officers who were wounded.
The White House said Obama told TSA Administrator John Pistole that he is grateful for all the brave TSA personnel who protect the nation’s transportation systems.
Obama also spoke with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to express his gratitude for those who responded to the shooting.
The White House said Obama received briefings about the shooting throughout the day.
LAX shooting suspect Paul Ciancia charged with murder
Gary Strauss, Kevin Johnson and Chris Woodyard
| USA TODAY
LAX shooting suspect could face death penalty
Paul Ciancia, the suspect in Friday’s shooting at Los Angeles International Airport, could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of murdering a federal officer. TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez was fatally shot; four other people were wounded.
VPC
- Police%3A Swift reacting LAX police saved numerous lives
- TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez was shot at point-blank range%2C authorities say
- More than 200 LAX and LAPD personnel sharpened crisis skills last month during a training exercise
LOS ANGELES — Paul Ciancia, the alleged gunman who paralyzed much of Los Angeles International Airport in a Friday shooting spree, could have turned the nation’s third-busiest airport into a massive killing zone had it not been for the quick response by airport police, officials said Saturday.
In a criminal complaint, U.S. District Attorney Andre Birotte charged Ciancia, 23, with murdering a federal officer and a separate charge of committing violence at an international airport. An affidavit said Ciancia — who could face the death penalty — fired a .223-caliber assault rifle at point-blank range, killing Transportation Security Agency officer Gerardo Hernandez, wounding two other TSA officers and two civilians.
FBI Special Agent David Bowdich officials said Ciancia walked away from Hernandez after shooting him in a pre-screening area at the airport, then went up an escalator in Terminal 3 before returning and shooting again.
As FBI and Los Angeles police wrapped forensics work, Bowdich, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin and LAX Police Chief Patrick Gannon said the victim toll could have been much higher had LAX police not shot and wounded Ciancia within minutes, thwarting him from firing more than a few rounds before he was shot four times.
“The heroics of the officers cannot be understated,” said Bowdich, who noted that the suspect was more than 100 rounds of ammunition.
“They saved untold lives,” says Bonin, whose district includes LAX, which was close to fully operational Saturday afternoon after 1,550 flights — 724 arrivals and 826 departures — were diverted or canceled Friday, impacting thousands of passengers.
Gannon says LAX officers reacted swiftly, going “downrange” looking for the suspect, who was tracked to Terminal 3’s food court. The Los Angeles Herald identified the cops as Police Sgt. Steve Zouzounis and officer Brian Lopez.
“They didn’t hesitate for one moment,” Gannon said. “To say it wasn’t a traumatic incident for them, I’d be lying, but they handled it with the utmost professionalism.”
Gannon said more than 200 LAX and LAPD personnel sharpened crisis skills last month during a training exercise in an abandoned terminal at Ontario International Airport, 40 miles east of L.A. With recent mass shootings such as those in Washington’s Navy Yard, Gannon says his force was motivated. “It doesn’t take much to want to handle an incident if it occurs in your own backyard,” he said.
A federal law enforcement official said that the Smith & Wesson assault rifle used in the attack is believed to have been purchased legally from a Los Angeles-area arms dealer. The official also said authorities were investigating whether a roommate unwittingly drove Ciancia to the airport the morning of the attack.
Investigators recovered a rambling note from the bag the shooter allegedly was carrying, which detailed an intent to “kill” TSA officers, said two federal law enforcement officials familiar with the message’s contents.
Bowdich said the handwritten note made it clear that the suspect intended to kill “multiple” TSA employees and to “instill fear into their traitorous minds.”
The officials, who are not authorized to comment publicly, told USA TODAY that the note was written in a way that suggested the author expected to lose his life.
One of the officials described the incident as a suicide mission.
In recent days, one of the officials said, Ciancia’s New Jersey family had become worried about his emotional state and called local police, who relayed their concerns to Los Angeles authorities.
The official said LAPD reportedly were in contact with the alleged shooter’s roommates, who indicated that he appeared to be OK.
Terrified LAX witnesses said the suspect specifically asked them whether they worked for the TSA.
Leon Saryan told ABC News that the gunman approached him and pointed a long-barreled weapon at him.
“I was cowering in a corner, he looked at me and he said, ‘TSA?’ I shook my head no, and he kept on going,” Leon Saryan said. “I just prayed to God. That’s all I did. I just prayed.”
Hernandez, 39, was a behavior-detection officer tasked with spotting suspicious activity and identifying potential terrorists, TSA Administrator John Pistole said. Pistole was scheduled to meet with Hernadez’ family Saturday.
Hernandez is the first TSA officer killed in the line of duty in the 12-year history of the agency, created after 9/11. Friends and neighbors remembered Hernandez as a doting father of two and a good neighbor.
Before arriving in the L.
A. area about 18 months ago, Ciancia lived with family in a quiet, wooded neighborhood in Pennsville, N.J., police said.
Joshua Pagan, 17, has lived across the street from Ciancia’s residence for 10 years. He said Ciancia has a brother close in age to him.
“I’ve seen (Paul) a few times, but I did not know him personally,” Pagan said. “From what I’ve seen and heard, he was just a normal person — just an everyday guy. Right now, I am still trying to process this. Did this really happen? Did they get the wrong guy? Because if they told me they got the wrong guy, it would make a lot more sense to me.”
Operations at LAX returning to normal
Operations at Los Angeles International Airport were returning to normal by Saturday afternoon following Friday’s shooting that killed a TSA officer and closed parts of the airport. (Nov. 2)
AP
Monitored in real time by scores of terrified bystanders on social media websites such as Twitter and Instagram, the incident was the latest in a recent spate of mass shootings.
Some passengers built walls of luggage to protect themselves from flying bullets. Others fled through emergency doors and onto the tarmac, including some who were briefly handcuffed and questioned by swarming groups of police before they were released.
LAX shooter shot in the face after shooting TSA officer
A deadly shooting spree at crowded Los Angeles International Airport by a lone gunman left a security official dead and a half-dozen other people injured Friday.
VPC
“They probably thought I was the shooter. They handcuffed me and told me not to move,” said Nick Pugh, who was scheduled to fly east to watch Sunday’s New York Marathon.
Aleksander Fiksdal, 22, was in a security checkpoint line for a flight to his native Norway when he heard shots ring out. “I turned and saw a guy with a rifle and I threw myself on the ground,” Fiksdal said. Other passengers in the security line did the same, while some broke and ran.
“I really thought I saw death,” said Anne Rainer, who witnessed the gunfire with her 26-year-old son, Ben.
The pair were about to leave for New York so her son could see a specialist for a rare genetic condition he has.
They took refuge behind a ticket counter where she said people prayed, cried and held hands. She watched as one person jumped from a second-floor balcony to get away from the gunman.
“Adrenaline went through my head, my body went numb, and I said, ‘If I have to go, it’s OK because I’m not going to feel it, but I have to save him,'” Rainer said.
Friends Mara Allen, 42, of Yuba City, Calif., and Vicki Powell of Sacramento had just arrived on a flight so they could go on a cruise to celebrate Powell’s 50th birthday. Gathered with others around a baggage carousel, they were startled when a police officer started yelling for people to flee. Wheelchair-bound Powell wasn’t sure how she was going to get out.
“I was waving. Come get me. Help!” Powell caught the attention of an attendant who wheeled her outside. The pair had to leave their luggage behind, and it was unclear whether they’d be able to retrieve it before their ship leaves L.
A. for Mexico. “This is something I see on TV. I don’t want to be in it,” Powell said.
The last shooting at the airport occurred in July 2002, when an Egyptian immigrant shot and killed two bystanders in a rampage at the El Al ticket counter.
Contributing: Scott Bowles in Los Angeles, Bart Jansen and Natalie DiBlasio in Washington, D.C.; Bill McMichael, The Wilmington News Journal; and the Associated Press.
Shooting at LAX Closes Terminal 3
See our latest updates at the bottom, including: One TSA agent was killed and one was injured along with five other people. Mayor Eric Garcetti says the suspect, identified by the FBI as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, allegedly had 100 rounds on him. First posted at 9:50 a.m.
A shooting at LAX’s terminal 3 has left a TSA employee injured, and possibly another two other victims as well, CBS LA is reporting.
Police have confirmed the shooting. The suspect has apparently been apprehended, according to news reports.
CBS reported that he’s been shot in the leg.
See also:
*Gerardo I. Hernandez, TSA Agent, Killed in LAX Attack.
*LAX Has 4-Decade History of Being a Target For Terror.
Eyewitnesses told CBS that shots were fired and people ducked for cover — and then airport police began to quickly evacuate the terminal.
Century Boulevard was also closed leading into LAX, causing major traffic problems in the area.
NBC reports the gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint. Aerial video showed passengers running from the terminal soon after.
Passengers at LAX tweeted some details:
Police are said to be sweeping the terminal, slowing combing through every square foot to make sure there are no additional suspects in hiding.
Eyewitnesses are telling reporters that the suspect had an assault rifle. He’s been described as a young, white man.
One eyewitness told KFI, “It happened at the checkpoint. He didn’t get through the checkpoint.
… I ran too. In the secured area, they were letting us out the door to where the planes are. Police officers came pretty fast. I heard about five shots myself and then ran out the door … to where the planes where, on the tarmac.”
The FAA has reportedly grounded all flights to and from LAX.
CBS reports that police are focused on a series of “multiple, suspicious” packages — which, in light of how many packages are at any airport on any given day, particularly one when people are fleeing in panic — is going to be no easy investigation.
CBS is reporting that a large box of ammunition is found.
The Los Angeles Police is declining all comment at this point, letting the airport take the lead. Through its Twitter account, the airport has confirmed that the incident began at 9:30 a.m. But LAX Police declined to give any details to the Weekly, refusing even to verify if anyone had been apprehended.
A news conference is anticipated shortly, however, LAX police announced the only media they’ll allow in are people with broadcast trucks.
Multimedia journalist Rubi Martinez has tweeted a photo of law enforcement massing at the scene:
Evacuations are continuing; passengers report being loaded into buses.
LAPD has asked drivers to avoid the area — most streets are a parking lot. Century remains closed, and Manchester, Sepulveda and the 105 are not moving. The following map, provided by traffic app INRIX, shows just how bad it’s gotten, and where:
Credit: Courtesy of INRIX
[Update at 10:58 a.m.]: Ambulances carrying the wounded were able to break free through the gridlock. CBS is reporting they’ve arrived at UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, which is about a 30-minute drive from the airport on a good day.
Also, people are reporting they got stuck in the Sepulveda Tunnel, with no information — and so after an hour of no movement, began to abandon their cars. It’s going to be awhile before the traffic delays on this one clear up.
The good news is that the triage area set up at LAX has been seeing no additional victims, according to helicopter surveillance by TV news crews.
For all the reports of panic inside the airport at the time of the shooting, mass casualties appear extremely unlikely.
[Update at 11:20 a.m.]:: Charlie Kaye of CBS is now reporting they have confirmation that one of the shooters was an off-duty TSA agent. A press conference is supposed to begin in just a few minutes; we’ll continue to monitor and push for independent confirmation of that allegation.
Meanwhile, the LA Times is tweeting that they have confirmation the gunman is dead.
The LAPD has not officially confirmed either report. Their official statement, in total, is as follows: “Today at 9:30 a.m. a single shooter in LAX around terminal 3 area started shooting. Multiple victims were injured. LAX PD engaged the suspect. Suspect was taken into custody. For precautionary reasons terminal 3 and surrounding areas will be swept.”
The LAPD confirms to the Weekly that the department is on a citywide tactical alert meaning no officers can go home at the end of their shifts.
LAPD Spokesman Commander Andy Smith tells KFI, “There are several victims that have been shot. … The suspect was also shot by LAX police. We’re doing a search with canines just to be sure there are no more suspects in the area. Right now we believe this is the only guy. … We don’t know for sure … what the heck he was doing here. It’s a little bit early to determine if there was anyone he was targeting.”
[Update at 11:40 a.m.]: UCLA Medical Center is reporting that one victim is in critical condition; two others are in fair condition.
[Update at 11:52 a.m.]:At a press conference in front of LAX, Mayor Eric Garcetti reported that the incident began at 9:20 a.m., 10 minutes earlier than previously reported. He thanked the law enforcement community and said the situation is now static, and safe. He urged people to stay away from LAX if they could, because the ongoing investigation makes the situation very complicated.
Then Patrick Gannon, chief of LAX police, took to the mikes.
He said an individual walked into the airport, pulled an assault rifle out of his bag, and began to open fire. The shooter then walked past the screening area, into the airport itself. The airport police responded immediately, tracked down the individual, and “engaged him in gunfire in Terminal 3 and were able to take him successfully into custody.”
Gannon continued, “As you can imagine, a large amount of chaos took place during this entire incident. We believe there was a lone shooter” — meaning previous reports of a second gunman were incorrect. Gannon reiterated that the shooter taken down by police was “the only person that was armed in this incident.”
Gannon then cautioned, “There is a tremendous amount of investigative work that needs to be done, but we have done security sweeps through the entire airport, and we feel confident this incident is tied to Terminal 3 and Terminal 3 only.”
LAFD Interim Chief James Featherstone then reported that seven people had been injured — but that just six were transported to area hospitals.
The condition of the seventh has not been confirmed and officials would not further address its condition.
Chief Charlie Beck said the LAPD would not speak about the nature of the injuries or the identify of the suspect.
LAX is now accepting incoming flights at just half of the normal pace. Some flights are being diverted to Ontario Airport. “I think it’s fair to say that almost every flight out of LAX today will be significantly late,” said LAX official Gina Marie Lindsey.
In answer to questions from reporters, LAX Police Chief Patrick Gannon said he is not clear on how many fatalities there have been. He also said that — contrary to some media reports that the shooter had been an TSA employee — he did not know if the shooter was a federal employee, or ever had been one.
He described the scene in some detail.
“This individual was shooting as he went into the terminal,” he said. “The officers did not hesitate. … And that was heroic.” The suspect got very far back into the terminal, he said — reaching a Burger King before LAX police were able to take him down.
As reporters pressed, Gannon reiterated that he did not know if the shooter was affiliated with the TSA. “I don’t know, and that’s the truth.”
Interim Chief James Featherstone
As to the status of the victims, Natalie DiBiasio, a reporter for USA Today, is reporting that “Tim Kauffman, a spokesman for the American Federation of Government Employees in Washington, has confirmed that a TSA officer was killed.” Kauffman told the L.A. Weekly that, yes, a TSA employee appears to have died. “That’s our understanding,” he said.
Interestingly, this is the very first day on the job for the city’s new interim fire chief, James Featherstone. A former LAFD employee, he was until recently working for the city’s Emergency Management Department.
[Update at 12:47 p.m.]: At a press conference, the medical director at Ronald Reagan Medical Center confirmed that three injured people had been taken to the hospital. All three were male, and two had suffered gunshot wounds.
The third was suffering from “other injuries I can’t clarify further.”
One of the gunshot victims was in critical condition; the other two men were in fair condition.
Three other victims were taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center — and one has died. L.A. County Dept. of Coroner Lt. Larry Dietz confirms that the deceased was a male in his late 30s.
Photo obtained by CNN appears to show a weapon on the floor at #LAX . https://t.co/xuWPhFfeje pic.twitter.com/KipB68PPJq
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 1, 2013
[Update at 1:24 p.m.]: NBC News is identifying the shooting suspect as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, who reportedly has anti-government views.
The FBI maintains that only one person was killed in today’s violence. Here’s part of the agency’s afternoon statement, via spokeswoman Laura Eimiller:
The shooting took place at Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport this morning in the 9:00a.
m. hour by an individual believed to be a lone shooter. The suspect was arrested following an officer-involved-shooting, the circumstances of which are also under investigation by police. Investigators have identified several victims of the shooting, one of whom was killed as a result of the shooting.
m. hour by an individual believed to be a lone shooter. The suspect was arrested following an officer-involved-shooting, the circumstances of which are also under investigation by police. Investigators have identified several victims of the shooting, one of whom was killed as a result of the shooting.LAPD Commander Andrew Smith that his department along with the FBI agents and L.A. County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad deputies were going through the airport and “clearing” areas, in a search for possible explosives, as a precaution.
[Update at 1:38 p.m.]: An FAA spokesman tells us a “ground stop” remained in effect at LAX today. That means departures are not being allowed.
J. David Cox Sr., national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, told reporters this afternoon that the death of a transportation security officer during the attack was a first for the agency “to our knowledge.”
The official said the employee was a behavioral detection officer who might have recently been transferred to LAX from Montana recently.
” … One of our own has lost his life today in the line of duty … ,” he said. ” … He lost his live in service to his country.”
[Update at 1:44 p.m.]: Associated Press reports that the 23-year-old suspect, a man from New Jersey, had a hand-written note in his bag, a note that said he “wanted to kill TSA and pigs.”
AP says the man was wearing fatigues.
[Update at 1:50 p.m.]: President Obama today said he was monitoring the situation at LAX. After a meeting with with Iraqi President Nouri al-Maliki at the White House he said this:
Obviously, we’ve been monitoring it, we’re concerned about it, but I’ll let the law enforcement folks talk about it directly.
[Update at 2:03 p.m.]: Enrique Rivero of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center says three patients came to the hospital from LAX. One was in critical condition and two were listed as fair, he said. All three were described as male adults.
Two of the three were gunshot victims, Rivero said, and the other had “other injuries.” He was unable to elaborate.
[Update at 2:15 p.m.]: A Harbor-UCLA Medical Center doctor told reporters that two patients, both men, were taken to his facility.
One “arrived to us unfortunately without signs of life,” he said.
Doctors tried to revive the man for more than an hour to no avail, the doctor said.
The other patient sustained a “superficial wound” to a shoulder, he said.
[Update at 3:21 p.m.]: The FBI confirmed that 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia of Los Angeles is the suspected shooter.
A police official in his hometown of Pennsville, New Jersey, told the Weekly that department had “no comment at this time because it is an active investigation.”
Reports indicate that the suspect’s brother called police because he was concerned he might try to kill himself; the LAPD reportedly tried to conduct a welfare check on the man this morning but found he was not home.
Meanwhile, LAX officials denied reports that passengers were left stranded in planes as terminals were cleared by bomb squads. LAX spokeswoman Katherine Alvarado told us that passengers could deplane and that, once in their terminal, were free to leave.
However, KNX 1070 Newsradio says one of its newswriters has been stuck on a plane on the tarmac for nearly an hour and a half.
Radio station KFI says an affiliated entertainment reporter Terry Hart landed at 11 a.m. and was stuck on her plane for hours.
“The bathrooms are not working anymore and they are no longer giving us sodas.,” she said.
El Segundo police this afternoon warned motorists to “avoid the LAX area for the next several hours” as a result of the law enforcement activity there.
[Update at 3:32 p.m.]: The FAA says it lifted its “groundstop” at 3 p.m., a spokesman told us. That means departing flights can resume.
[Update at 4:31 p.m.]: Mayor Garcetti told reporters at a news conference at LAX that the gunman packed extra ammunition.
“There were more than 100 rounds that could have literally killed everyone in the terminal,” he said.
He said President Obama called him to “express his sympathies … to express his support for the family of the fallen.”
David Bowdich, special agent in charge of the FBI’s L.A. office, said the suspect was being treated at a hospital.
He said one TSA agent was killed and one was injured. Additional people were treated, likely as a result of “evasion injuries” in their effort to escape the gunman, the agent said.
Anyone with serious information or tips about the suspect was asked to call the FBI at 888-226-8443.
L.A. World Airports chief Gina Marie Lindsey said 746 flights were affected by the attack and its aftermath, including 46 that were diverted from LAX and hundreds — “the rest” — that were “held on the ground.”
LAX police Chief Patrick Gannon said his officers “caught up” with the suspect at the back of terminal 3 and opened fire.
Westside City Councilman Mike Bonin described what the cops did as rushing toward the sound of gunfire until they immobilized the suspect.
Gannon said reports that LAX police were recently moved from their stations behind screening areas were correct. He argued that the moves, which put them in front of screening areas, proved fortuitous today and allowed the officers to get their man quickly.
Meanwhile, a statement by the Los Angeles Airport Police Officers Association describes the attack this way:
The gunman entered LAX Terminal 3 at about 9:20 a.m., pulled the rifle out of a bag and started shooting, according to Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon. Gannon reported that the gunman went up an escalator, approached the passenger screening area and shot his way through to the Terminal 3 gate area, where he was subdued by Airport Police Officers who were in pursuit.
-With reporting from LA Weekly managing editor Jill Stewart, staff writer Dennis Romero, and staff writer Gene Maddaus.
LAX-Shooting Update: Airport Gunman Was a Ticketed Passenger; One T.
S.A. Agent Killed, Another Victim in Critical Care
Second Update: Contrary to theLos Angeles Times’ earlier report, officials now do not believe that the gunman responsible for this morning’s shooting at LAX has ever worked for the T.S.A. During a press conference just after noon on Friday, the airport’s police chief, Patrick Gannon, said that the shooting suspect entered Terminal Three wearing camouflage. Once inside, he is believed to have removed an AR-15 rifle from his bag and shot his way through the security checkpoint, making it as far as a Burger King inside the terminal. Police tracked down the subject and shot him several times in the chest, CNN reports. According to the*L.A. Times*, the suspect, who is in police custody, was a ticketed passenger, and a T.S.A. agent was killed in the shooting.
During the press conference, Gannon said that at this point in the investigation, the suspect is thought to have acted alone. Neither the police nor the F.
B.I. have revealed further details about the suspect. In a later press conference, a representative from Ronald Reagan U.C.L.A. Medical Center announced that one of the LAX-shooting victims was in critical condition there, while two others were in fair condition.
The F.B.I. has said that it “do[es] not see any threats” at the airport. Flights are now departing from several terminals but no new passengers are being allowed into the airport.
__Update:__Minutes before a press conference begins outside LAX, theLos Angeles Timesreports that the gunman responsible for this morning’s airport shooting was a T.S.A. employee. The Times cites law-enforcement sources, who also reveal that the gunman was killed by authorities.
Alarming news from the Los Angeles International Airport this morning: police confirm that a shooting took place this morning in Terminal 3. All planes are currently grounded as the investigation into the incident continues.
The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that two people were injured and that the suspect is in custody, the L.
A. Times reports. According to L.A.P.D. Commander Andy Smith, there were “multiple shootings” and police are still determining how many people were shot. A local CBS affiliate adds that “a gunman with a high-powered rifle was reportedly shot and secured by law enforcement personnel.”
Bill Reiter of Fox Sports, who was on the scene, tweeted, “When gunfire broke out there was a stampede people, all of us hiding under seats we didn’t fit under, we burst through the door to outside.”
Developing. . . .
Suspect charged with murder in LAX shooting
The suspect in the killing of a TSA screener during a shooting rampage at the Los Angeles International Airport was charged with murder Saturday, and authorities said he had signed a letter to TSA employees saying that he wanted to “instill fear in your traitorous minds.”
Federal prosecutors said Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, killed TSA screener Gerardo Hernandez during a terrifying outbreak of gunfire Friday in which at least three other people were wounded before police shot Ciancia.
The source of Ciancia’s apparent hostility toward the TSA remained unclear and puzzling. But a statement filed in court by the FBI gave the first detailed account of how the shootings unfolded.
According to the FBI, Ciancia entered the airport’s Terminal 3 about 9:20 a.m. and approached the security checkpoint. Pulling a Smith & Wesson .223-caliber M&P-15 assault rifle from his bag, he fired multiple times at point-blank range at Hernandez, who was on duty and in uniform, leaving the screener wounded.
Then, after starting up an escalator, Ciancia looked back at Hernandez, who appeared to move. Ciancia then went back to shoot him again. the statement said.Hernandez was fatally wounded.
A timeline of events from the LAX TSA shooting
Ciancia then shot at “at least” two more TSA employees and one airline passenger, wounding all three, before two pursuing Los Angeles Airport Police officers wounded him, the FBI said.
In a bag that Ciancia had at the airport, the FBI said, other law enforcement officers found a handwritten letter, signed by the suspect, saying that he had “made the conscious decision to try to kill” TSA employees.
Ciancia’s possessions at the scene “included five magazine clips” of ammunition.
Ciancia was taken to a hospital; an FBI spokesman said no information about his condition was being released Saturday night.
The gunfire sent panic through the nation’s third-busiest airport and disrupted air traffic there along with the travel plans of thousands of would-be passengers throughout the nation. The airport was fully reopened on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
On Saturday, Hernandez’s wife spoke to reporters outside her Los Angeles area home, describing him as a “wonderful husband, father, brother, son and friend.”
She said her husband, who was about to turn 40, had come to the United States at age 15 from El Salvador and “took pride in his duty for the American public.”
Still unclear Saturday was what had led Ciancia to make the TSA his alleged target, but there were signs of psychological trouble. According to an account from police in the New Jersey town where he grew up, Ciancia had sent a text message to his brother indicating that he might harm himself.
As investigators search for a motive in the shooting at LAX, friends and neighbors of the TSA agent killed remain in disbelief. (Reuters)
The message had aroused enough concern to prompt his father on Friday to get authorities to check on him in Los Angeles, where he was living.
“I understand that they tried to reach him,” said a neighbor of Ciancia’s father in New Jersey, “but they missed him.”
The incident also raised questions about airport security and the possible mixture of mental illness and weapons, as well as about Ciancia’s state of mind.
According to the Associated Press, Ciancia said in the note found by authorities that he wished to kill at least one Transportation Security Administration officer but did not care who.
“Black, white, yellow, brown, I don’t discriminate,” the note read, as paraphrased for AP by a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but not authorized to speak publicly.
As described to AP, the note appeared to contain terms and references often found in messages from antigovernment fringe groups.
One of the terms was “fiat currency,” AP said. The letters NWO also were used, in apparent reference to “New World Order,” a term used by groups claiming the existence of global conspiracies.
The federal government created the TSA to upgrade airport security after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Over the years, complaints have emerged about TSA’s screening efforts, which some air travelers have described as onerous and intrusive.
Ciancia’s relatives could not be immediately reached Saturday.
But little that could be found on Saturday suggested an association between Ciancia and the antigovernment hostility said to have been expressed in the note.
Ciancia grew up in the southwestern corner of New Jersey in Pennsville, where his father owned an auto-repair shop and was known as a pillar of the local community. His mother, who had been a teacher in a Catholic school, died more than four years ago. The town’s police chief said he had never had trouble “with anyone” in the family.
A former classmate at Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Del., where Ciancia graduated in 2008, described him as “kind of quiet and timid, but smart.”
The classmate, James Kerrigan, called him “a nice guy” who “never struck me as the type that would do this sort of thing.”
Others who knew him in high school also called him quiet and shy, with no signs of violent tendencies. David Hamilton, who also graduated from Salesianum in 2008, told the Los Angeles Times that Ciancia “kept to himself and ate lunch alone a lot.”
A 17-year-old living across the street from Ciancia’s family home said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, that “you wouldn’t think someone like that would come out of a family like that.”
James Mincey, who said he had shared a Los Angeles apartment with Ciancia until February, told an ABC affiliate that he was shocked. “From knowing this guy, it just doesn’t make sense,” he said.
After finishing high school, Ciancia had worked for a time for his father, said New Jersey neighbor Gary Hankins.
It was not clear when Ciancia moved to Los Angeles or what he was doing there. AP described him as an unemployed motorcycle mechanic.
Current roommates reportedly said he had seemed fine as recently as Thursday.
It was not clear when or where the rifle was purchased.
The airport said in a statement that 40 flights were affected Saturday, including 30 cancellations and 10 delays that slowed an estimated 4,000 passengers. On the day of the shooting, an estimated 1,550 scheduled flights and 167,000 passengers were affected, according to the statement.
Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Pat Gannon said at the Saturday news conference that the LAPD dedicated extra resources to the airport and that visitors will see an increased law-enforcement presence for some time.
Along those lines, the TSA said it would review its policy on officer safety.
TSA Administrator John Pistole said Saturday that the agency would make every effort to make certain Friday’s events are not repeated.
Marcia D. Davis in Pennsville and Rachel Weiner contributed to this report.
TSA agent killed in LAX shooting, suspect ID’d
A Transportation Security Administration agent was killed and several more people wounded when a gunman opened fire on Friday morning at Los Angeles International Airport.
The FBI has identified the shooting suspect as 23-year-old Paul Ciancia. According to law enforcement officials, Ciancia was apprehended on the scene after opening fire at an airport security checkpoint. The TSA officer killed in the attack has been identified as 39-year-old Gerardo I. Hernandez.
Ciancia reportedly suffered a non-lethal gunshot wound and is being treated in a local hospital.
Personal details about Ciancia are still emerging. According to public records obtained by Yahoo News, Ciancia has a known address in Pennsville, N.J., about 15 miles from Wilmington, Del. The AP said Ciancia had contacted his brother by text message on Friday saying he was considering suicide.
Additional reports indicate when Ciancia was detained by law enforcement he was carrying literature critical of the federal government and the TSA. Ciancia’s father reached out to law enforcement officials in New Jersey who subsequently reached out to their counterparts in Los Angeles. Police in Los Angeles reportedly made an unsuccessful attempt to make contact with Ciancia before the shooting took place.
Ciancia entered LAX on Friday wearing fatigues and carrying a bag containing a handwritten note that said he “wanted to kill TSA and pigs,” an official, who was briefed on the investigation and requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, told the AP.
The TSA confirmed the death of Hernandez in a statement obtained by Yahoo News: “Earlier this morning, a shooting occurred at Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport. Multiple Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) were shot, one fatally. Additional details will be addressed by the FBI and local law enforcement who are investigating the shooting.
“
A spokesperson for the American Federation of Government Employees told Yahoo News that it is the first time a TSA officer has been killed in the line of duty in the agency’s 12 year history. According to the spokesperson, the TSA officer was a “behavior detection officer” who was charged with spotting suspicious behavior in the airport.
LAX airport police Chief Patrick Gannon said at a press conference that police tracked the suspect “through the airport and engaged him in gunfire in Terminal 3” and were able to take him into custody.
Eyewitness Nick Pugh told local affiliate KNBC-TV he “heard a total of maybe eight to 10 shots fired in maybe two bursts. Everyone dropped to the floor and started crawling along the crowd.” And Tory Belecci, another eyewitness, said the suspect appeared to be carrying a rifle, possibly an assault rifle.
Gannon added, “We believe, at this point, that there was a lone shooter, that he was the only person armed in this incident.”
Jim Featherstone, acting Los Angeles fire chief, said during the press conference that officials had treated seven patients and transported six to area hospitals.
Authorities declined to provide any information during the press conference on the identities or conditions of those wounded.
The UCLA Medical Center released a statement saying it is currently treating three injured individuals from the incident. One arrived in critical condition and two were listed in fair condition, the hospital said.
President Barack Obama commented briefly on the shooting, telling reporters, “Obviously we’ve been monitoring and we’re concerned about it, but we’ll let law enforcement officials address this.”
During the press conference, Gannon said authorities had run through the “exact” scenario that played out at LAX on Friday, which helped them to respond effectively to the situation when it unfolded for real.
Officials said the authorities now have full control of security at LAX.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a full ground stop until the incident has been officially resolved. Executive Director of Los Angeles World Airports Gina Marie Lindsey said in a Friday afternoon press conference that the ground stop is set to be removed at 4:00pm PST.
Access to the airport had been temporarily shutdown on Century Boulevard, the main road leading into LAX. In addition, all flights are reportedly delayed. The delays resulted in images of thousands of travelers stranded at LAX, caught in limbo as their scheduled flights were either delayed or cancelled entirely.
Another eyewitness, Brian Adamick, 43, told the Los Angeles Times that one TSA officer who was shot did not appear to be seriously injured. “I got shot, I’m fine,” the unnamed TSA agent reportedly told Adamick and other witnesses on the scene. Remarkably, the agent reportedly reassured witnesses by saying he had been shot before and that the wound was not life-threatening.
Jason Sickles and Jay Hart contributed to this report
Master class “Filming in low light”
Master class of cameraman Alexander Kiryukhin “Filming in low light”
Alexander worked as a director of photography on projects such as the Circle of Light festival in Moscow, the Military Acceptance program for the TV channel “Zvezda” and many documentaries for the central TV channels.
In his work, Alexander often goes on business trips, where you cannot take a lot of light and is constantly faced with the problem of low light.It’s about uncontrolled shooting conditions. He and his colleagues organized a camera meeting for a mutual exchange of experience.
This video will be interesting for both novice operators and experienced professionals.
Link to the author – https://www.facebook.com/aleksankir
Also on the topic:
SHOOTING IN NATURAL LIGHT, IN THE AGE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS
HOW TO LUMINATE BRILLIANT OBJECTS. SHARING SECRETS
CINEMA LIGHTING.MASTER CLASS BY JULIAN WHITE
ON THE STREET LIGHTING.
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Night Sky Shooting | Sony RU
Preparation for taking pictures of the starry sky
The secret to taking beautiful photographs of the night sky is choosing the right location.
In large cities, artificial light sources illuminate the sky even at night (this phenomenon is called “light pollution” or “sky flare”), which makes it not so easy to see the stars. For starry sky photos to be effective, it is best to find some kind of elevation, such as a hill or mountain, with minimal sky exposure and an open horizon line. You can also go to a nearby park where the city lights are not visible and try filming there.
When it comes to shooting stars, even moonlight is a source of light.Therefore, we recommend planning your shoot during the new moon or after the moon has set.
Slow shutter speeds need to be used to shoot the stars, so it’s best if you mount the camera on a tripod as you would when shooting at night. If you are using a tripod, the remote control comes in handy. If you choose to shoot without a tripod, try setting a 2 second self-timer delay. This will help prevent blurring caused by pressing the shutter button. Also, when using a tripod, be sure to turn off the image stabilization function to help prevent glitches during shooting.
Setting shooting parameters
Attach the camera to a tripod and adjust the shooting settings.
There are several different ways of capturing the night sky: capturing the stars as we see them, time lapse photography, and telephoto shots of star clusters.
First, we’ll cover the simplest way: taking pictures of the stars as we see them.
If you are using a zoom lens, turn on wide-angle (shortest focal length).Thus, you can capture not only the starry sky in your photo, but also a beautiful landscape.
Wide-angle shooting captures the stars and scenic scenery
Star trail in photo
Set your shooting mode to M and choose aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
1. Diaphragm
It will be easier to photograph stars if you open the aperture as much as possible during shooting, so that more light will enter the lens.
2. Exposure
Selectable shutter speeds vary by lens, but we recommend trying to use a shutter speed of approximately 8 seconds.
Shooting a starry sky with a tripod is different from shooting static landscapes because the stars are in constant, albeit subtle, movement. If the shutter speed is too slow, lines will appear in the photo instead of individual stars and it will be very difficult to get clear pictures.
3.Light sensitivity
The correct ISO setting is difficult to choose as it depends on many factors: the amount of light in the sky, the amount of moonlight, the lens, the shooting location, and the time of year. Try taking a few photos with the sensitivity set to ISO 400, compare the resulting shots and find the optimal value.
Now that these three parameters are set, everything is ready to shoot – all that remains is to focus the image on the stars.The autofocus (AF) system does not work in low light conditions such as at night, so manual focus (MF) must be used to capture the night sky. It can be very difficult to focus an image on a small star using the camera’s LCD screen, so we recommend using the Focus Magnifier and MF Assist functions, with which you can enlarge the desired part of the image on the screen.
Using the buttons on the camera, you can select an area to zoom in and find bright stars to focus on.
Viewfinder image without Focus Magnifier
Viewfinder image with Focus Magnifier
After you have found a bright star, start turning the focusing ring until its outline is clear. Zoom in on the screen to check the focus is accurate. The outlines of the star may be out of focus because the focus ring is set to Infinity.If the picture on the screen is completely black and you cannot see the details of the picture, this can be corrected by increasing the ISO sensitivity to 3200 or 6400. Change the settings and try to take some more photos.
Once the stars are in focus, do not move the focusing frame until you have taken a photograph. The focus frame position may change when zooming or switching the focus mode to [AF].
Stars will be blurry in the photo if they are out of focus during shooting
Checking results during shooting
Press the shutter button as soon as the star of your choice is in focus.
Within a few seconds after shooting, the image is processed using the noise reduction algorithm. Therefore, it may take a few seconds before the finished image appears on the LCD screen.
Zoom in and see what happens. Did you manage to capture the stars?
Using these settings, you can get the following photos:
Focal length: 19 mm, f-stop: 3.5, Shutter speed: 5 sec.
Part of the constellation Orion, enlarged on the viewing screen.The stars appear as points of light.
If the image comes out too bright or too dark, take several photos with different sensitivity and shutter speed settings. By setting a higher ISO value, you can brighten the image at a faster shutter speed. However, too high a light sensitivity can negatively affect the quality and resolution of the final image. Also, if you make the screen too bright, you probably won’t be able to correctly determine the brightness of the image itself.When shooting in low light conditions, we recommend lowering the brightness of the screen than for daytime shooting.
If you are unable to capture the stars as you see them, look at the image again to check the focus and brightness of the image, and then take a few more photos.
However, it is possible that more clouds have appeared in the sky since the last image was taken and the conditions have changed – this should not be forgotten either.
Composition and color adjustments
If you are already familiar with shooting a starry sky, try working on your composition and experimenting with the color settings.Photographs of stars can be even more effective when you can capture not only the starry sky, but the entire landscape. Take a look around – try to include trees or a background in the composition. Carefully without turning the focus rings to keep the stars in focus, choose the composition you want.
To change the colors according to your preference, change the white balance settings. You can also, for example, select [Incandescent] or [Fluor: Warm White] to create a photo of a starry sky with a noticeable bluish tint.To make colors more natural and similar to what you see, select Auto White Balance [AWB].
White balance: [Auto] White balance: [Incandescent]
To enhance the outline of the stars, use commercially available softening filters (“soft filters”), which can be used to blur the light from the stars in the photo. This allows you to capture large-format starry landscapes even with the wide-angle lens.
Photo taken with lens softener
Using [Star Trail]
* 1 in PlayMemories Camera Apps
If your camera supports the PlayMemories Camera App, you can create beautiful videos that show the stars’ paths. For this, the Star Trail application will come in handy.
Select the appropriate mode in the application – [Light Night], [Dark Night] or [Custom], and when you finish shooting, a movie will be created automatically.
Now, using this application, you no longer have to download a large number of photos to your computer, merge and edit them into a video clip – you can easily create a beautiful video about the starry sky right on the camera.
- * 1 The availability of [Star Trail] on PlayMemories Camera Apps depends on the country or region.
A still from a video created using the Star Trail application
Lens focal length: 24mm / F-number: 1.4 / Exposure: 8 sec.
SEL24F14GM
Advanced G Master lens technology delivers outstanding performance, high resolution and soft bokeh even at its widest aperture of f / 1.4. Its strengths include compactness, portability, the smallest weight2 in its class, as well as fast and accurate AF, professional control and reliability.
Danila Kozlovsky about the film “Coach”: “Novorossiysk turned out the best”
A presentation of the film was held in Krasnodar. The film was shot in Krasnodar and Novorossiysk.
For the first time, he acted both as a director and in the role of the main character. The plot of the sports film is simple. The talented footballer Yuri Stoleshnikov (Danila Kozlovsky) received a red card in the main match for Russia. He was saved from depression by his job as a coach of the weak provincial team “Meteor”. With the help of Stoleshnikov, the football club gets into the Premier League.
The shooting took place at the stadium of the Krasnodar football club, as well as in Novorossiysk about a year ago.Ordinary Kuban residents were filmed in the crowd scenes. One of our athletes, for example, ran beautifully in the frame and fell to the gate instead of Kozlovsky.
Many of those who starred in the extras of the film came to its presentation in Krasnodar.
Photo: Mikhail Stupin
Many of the crowd went to the star-studded premiere of Danila Kozlovsky’s The Coach at the MONITOR SBS cinema in Krasnodar. There was also the opportunity to take a selfie, get an autograph and chat with a famous artist.After watching, Kozlovsky answered questions from journalists and viewers.
– Danila, why did you want to make a film based on such a banal plot for sports dramas, when an outsider becomes a champion? Do you yourself believe in such stories?
– Not only do I believe, but I see them every day. Remember how Juventus first lost 3-0 to Real Madrid and took revenge in the next match. And what happened to the Icelandic national team when they beat the British in the European Cup quarterfinals? Or the Rostov team, your neighbors, literally worked a miracle: they played with Manchester on equal terms… This is a fairy tale that exists.
Dossier “KN”
Danila Kozlovsky – Russian theater and film actor, director, producer. Winner of the Nika and Golden Eagle awards. Honored Artist of Russia.
He began acting in films in 1998. After 9 years he graduated from SPbGATI, the course of Lev Dodin.
The first serious role, for which he was awarded the White Elephant Prize, was in the film by Alexei German Jr. “Garpastum”. And in 2014 he made his Hollywood debut – in the film “Vampire Academy”.Now Danila Kozlovsky is one of the most demanded actors in Russia. His filmography includes such iconic films as “Viking”, “Matilda”, “Legend No. 17”, “Dovlatov”, “Crew”, “Duhless” and many others.
– You were originally going to shoot in Krasnodar and Novorossiysk? Or did you come up with the idea after writing the script?
– Having traveled all over the country from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, having visited such small cozy towns like Tula and Tambov, we stopped at Novorossiysk.Because it is a rare movie city and incredibly beautiful. We didn’t draw anything, we didn’t improve it, we just took it and filmed it at night, during the day, at dawn. Well, in Krasnodar, they filmed the final: in Russia you can’t find a stadium better than a field of “citizens”.
And, of course, many thanks to the Kuban people – the actors of the crowd scenes, the technical staff ( puts his hand to the heart of ). Twelve hours of hard filming, and they were smiling!
– Wait for more?
– No! This is a story that happened once.
– You first appeared both as a director and as an actor. Share your impressions?
– First of all, I’ll say that I didn’t finish any directing courses, I didn’t read any “smart” books about this either. In directing, I was guided only by my own cinematic experience, sensations. Secondly, I spoke here more as a storyteller. In what capacity I will be next time – I do not know.
For example, I am currently filming the American / Irish TV series Vikings.There are also several projects that I will develop both as a director and as a producer.
– Are there moments in The Coach that, as a director, revisit which you think: “Ay, it should have been different”?
– Almost the entire film. But it normal. Surely the same Coppolla or Fellini think the same. I see what needs to be worked on in the next films. There are, of course, moments that are close to me. This is a scene when fans sing Rybnikov’s song to support their team at the setting sun.
Guys, residents of Novorossiysk, they sang so! Soul! But they are not professional artists. And the moment with the song of Yura Shevchuk in the final. Remember? “This is all that remains after me” ( sings ). She completed what I wanted to say.
Trainer – Trailer (2018)
Videos: iVideos
– By the way, why are there only two Russian-language songs in the film? Are the rest foreign?
– These are my feelings of playing football, my musical vision of our film: all the tracks are very dynamic, rhythmic.And they fit in perfectly. After all, we shot modern cinema for young people. By the way, these foreign songs took a lot of the film’s budget ( smiles at ). For a very long time, for example, they waited for an answer from Frank Sinatra.
Yes, there are only two Russian songs, but what songs! It was important for me to place accents so that Russian-language ballads were not just a background, but sounded in the most important, lyrical moments of the film.
– Coach is released ahead of the FIFA World Cup.Danila, what is your prediction for our team?
– I have a strange attitude towards people who are now trying to troll our football. And in general, the very word “troll” is incomprehensible. Sounds like it’s some kind of microbe in the stomach ( smiles at ). Someone teases, someone charmingly mocks … I am one of those people, and there are millions of us who support our team. Yes, we are not the strongest team in the world. But I am sure that Russian footballers are able to work a miracle if they feel our audience support.
As an officer of the imperial army Vorontsov in the film “Matilda”
Photo: danila-kozlovskiy.ru
– You mentioned the word “troll”. Well, how do you feel about negative assessments, the hype that began on the Web after watching the trailer for the film? As far as I know, you could not resist and answered the haters on social networks.
– Here is how it was. One anonymous Internet community reacted rather viciously and ugly to the two-minute teaser for the movie “The Trainer”.That is, these people have not seen the film yet! You see, when you shoot a film for the first time, the hand is drawn to leave comments under such “ratings”. And I think it’s right not to be silent. But this whole story has nothing to do with the Russian audience, whom I love and respect. And more my hand will not slip treacherously into the commentary.
– You also starred as a hockey player in Legend No. 17, and now you played a football player. Which sport is closer to you?
– Football is considered the number one sport for a reason.Everything is simpler in it – take the ball and play. Incidentally, I do so: every Monday and Thursday. We have our own team led by actor Oleg Menshikov. Although, of course, Legend No. 17 is a dear and important story for me.
Danila Kozlovsky as Valery Kharlamov in the film “Legend No. 17”
Photo: russia.tv
– Which club from the RFPL do you support?
– For Krasnodar.
How It Was
In Krasnodar, the shooting took place almost under the heading “secret”: local journalists were not allowed on the site, and the actors of the crowd scenes and technical workers signed a non-disclosure agreement.However, it became known that there were some incidents. The owner of FC Krasnodar Sergey Galitsky was unhappy with the fact that the actors trampled the lawn on the football field of the stadium. And during the filming, one of the artists was injured in the form of a ruptured vein, but quickly recovered.
Shot from the filming location in Krasnodar
Photo: instagram.com/danilakozlovsky/
The film was shot in 50 shifts and features 9 football teams. About 3 thousand professional football players passed the casting for participation in the film, 200 of them were selected.By the way, among them are the former Lokomotiv player Alan Gatagov and Dmitry Sychev, who played for the Russian national team for 8 years. For both, this is a film debut.
Football battles took place on the best Russian stadiums: Krasnodar , Otkrytie Arena and Arena Khimki . Up to 36 different cameras worked on the field – some flew on ropes, others “got confused” under the feet of the players.
Scientists filmed salt crystallization at the atomic level
Bigfoto.com
February 2, Minsk / Corr. BELTA /. Japanese scientists were able to conduct a rare survey of how salt crystals are formed at the atomic level.For this, an advanced electron microscope was used, NHK reports.
The video was filmed by a group of scientists led by Professor Nakamura Eiichi in the Department of Natural Sciences of the University of Tokyo. This is the first video to show the formation of salt crystals in atomic-level resolution in real time, according to participants.
To survey the crystallization of salt, scientists first dipped carbon nanotubes in salt water, and then placed them in a vacuum.
Under the influence of a weak vibration, sodium chloride (table salt) molecules began to appear near the tip of the carbon nanotube, forming a crystal core in about 5 seconds.
Crystallization is a process in which atoms or molecules take a highly ordered position, forming a solid structure called a crystal. Substances such as salt, sugar and others are known for their ability to form crystals. -0-
90,000 Weapons: Science and Technology: Lenta.Common crawl en
Project 627 (627A) nuclear submarines (nuclear submarines) “Kit” of the Navy (Navy) of the USSR were not distinguished by their low noise, but thanks to their “global coverage” they revolutionized submarine warfare, says the American magazine The National Interest.
The publication reminds that initially such submarines were developed by the USSR to strike with nuclear torpedoes on the coastal cities of the United States, while later (after a design review due to the appearance of intercontinental ballistic missiles and strategic bombers) – to destroy American warships.
The magazine writes that the Project 627 (627A) Kit nuclear submarines were distinguished by their great endurance and powerful propulsion system, but “demonstrated an alarming tendency towards catastrophic accidents, which was characteristic of the growing Soviet submarine fleet during the Cold War.” The publication assures that the high power of the reactors of the Soviet submarines “was bought at the price of safety and reliability.” “Many accidents reflected not only technological shortcomings, but also the poor safety culture of the Soviet Navy,” the magazine writes.
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The publication recalls several accidents and accidents with Soviet submarines, in particular, K-8 (1960), K-14 (1961 and 1963), K-11 (1965), K-3 (1967), K-27 (1968) and K-8 (1970).
The magazine concludes that the Project 627 (627A) Kit nuclear submarine “taught painful lessons paid for in lost or irreparably injured human lives, the inherent risks of operating nuclear energy, and the high cost to be paid for technical errors and lax safety procedures.” …
In June, TASS, citing a source in the shipbuilding industry, reported that the Russian nuclear submarine Belgorod of project 09852, which is to carry the Poseidon nuclear torpedoes, called the Doomsday weapon in the British press, for the first time entered the factory sea trials to the White Sea.
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90,000 Bans in various countries 9,0001
To avoid unpleasant situations on vacation, you must treat with the utmost respect for the laws, rules and customs of the country you are visiting.There are many pitfalls associated primarily with norms of behavior.
Appearance
In a number of countries, many misdemeanors of tourists can turn a blind eye. But when it comes to Muslim and Asian countries, things are much more serious. Accusations of indecent behavior carry a heavy fine at best and stoning and jail time at worst. Women are advised not to wear tight-fitting or overly revealing clothes, as well as swimsuits or topless outside the hotel, in crowded places.
When visiting religious buildings, it is also necessary to carefully choose your wardrobe, trying to avoid in clothes anything that can be interpreted as disrespect for local shrines. In addition to temples and mosques, other places can also be sacred. So, for example, you shouldn’t swim naked in the sacred lakes of India .
Behavior in public places
Explicit expressions of feelings and emotions are not encouraged. In India, for example, men are generally prohibited from touching women in public.And in Indonesia, kissing in a public place can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a huge fine.
Men of non-traditional sexual orientation can face serious consequences. This is due to the fact that the Koran does not recognize such a relationship at all. At the same time, punishment may follow even for public discussions of this issue.
Smoking in public places
Most countries of the European Union, USA, Canada and others have already introduced strict bans on smoking in public places.At the same time, the penalties are quite significant. In Italy – up to 275 euros, in Greece the amount of the fine depends on the number of previous violations against the ban and ranges from 5 to 10 thousand euros, and in the UAE you can go to prison for up to 2 years.
In some countries, such prohibitions do not apply to tourists (in Thailand or Egypt; in fact, the law is not implemented in Israel). However, do not forget that there may be non-smokers near you, whose health is endangered due to other people’s bad habits.
Drinking alcoholic beverages
In almost all Muslim countries, in the USA, Canada and some EU countries, drinking alcohol in public places is punishable by a serious fine or even imprisonment. And, say, in the UAE 70 lashes can be added to this.
Alcoholic beverages in many countries also include beer, which many drink constantly. Therefore, be sure to put it in a plastic or paper bag before opening the bottle outside.
Photo and video filming
Strategic government facilities of a military and industrial nature are primarily prohibited from photography and video filming. Not many people know that such zones include airports (especially airfields) and sometimes even transport arteries, roads, tunnels and bridges (USA). As a rule, it is forbidden to take pictures inside temples and mosques, as well as against the background of sacred objects. In Thailand and Malaysia, these include all images of the Buddha.
In many countries there is a ban on filming government agencies.In the UAE, these include the palaces of the sheikhs, in Tunisia – the presidential palace, in North Korea – it is forbidden to photograph in the Kumsuan Palace, where the body of Kim Sung Il rests.
In most Muslim countries, it is forbidden to photograph people without their consent. Basically, this applies to women. In countries of mass tourism, for example, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, they are more loyal to this. And in China or the UAE, this is a very serious offense, which is a criminal offense; in the United States, such filming can be accused of sexual harassment.But in India or Cuba, locals take pictures with tourists with great pleasure.
In Europe, prohibitions mainly apply to objects of art. This is due to the fact that bright light can damage the canvases. But many museums give permission to shoot without using a flash. By the way, in Belgium it is not allowed to photograph the Manneken Pis statue, and in Amsterdam one of the most popular attractions is the red light district.
In most cases, if a tourist accidentally photographs a prohibited object, he will be prompted to delete these images.But there are also serious cases, including accusations of espionage. Therefore, Tutu.ru recommends not to ignore warning No Photo .
Export of cultural property
Each country has its own rules for the export of valuables. They can apply to cultural values, antiques, plants, animals, stuffed animals, skins. The paradox is that often items prohibited for export are available for free sale in souvenir shops. If in doubt, be sure to check with your guide.Indeed, in addition to the confiscation of goods prohibited for export, you may be charged a large fine. And in some countries, if there is evidence that you deliberately took out an item, they can be sent to prison.
From popular countries, Russian tourists are prohibited from exporting:
Egypt – corals, sea shells, stuffed crocodiles, ivory. Gold and silver jewelry worth over $ 3000.
Thailand – precious stones and gold products without check and certificate.Large statues of Buddha (pendants, pendants with small images of Buddha are allowed).
Turkey – jewelry without a check and a certificate for over $ 15,000.
Maldives – corals, shark jaws.
India – Indian rupees. Antiquities that are more than 100 years old.
Cuba – more than 23 cigars without a check. Live and dissected crocodiles, turtles and products from them.
Seychelles – corals, coconuts “Coco de mer”, turtle shell products.
Brazil – any animals, their skins, products from skins, shells and feathers.
Kenya – Hides and stuffed animals without special license. Ivory products, diamonds. Kenyan shillings (national currency).
Japan – combat steel katana swords (souvenir swords can be exported).
Strange bans in various countries of the world
By the way, in some countries of the world there are absolutely fantastic bans and restrictions.The American magazine Travel + Leisure has prepared a rating of the strangest laws.
Italy – Venice laws prohibit feeding pigeons, being in a public place without a shirt, climbing into fountains and eating sandwiches at a pedestrian crossing. Also, you cannot dive into the fountains in Rome. The fine for feeding pigeons in Venice can reach $ 600, in case of quick payment – no more than $ 50-60.
Germany – Stopping on autobahns is prohibited even if the driver runs out of gas.In addition, you cannot walk along the trail. The fine for violating these rules can be up to $ 100.
United Arab Emirates – It is prohibited to eat and drink in public during the holy holiday of Ramadan. Fines can be as high as $ 275.
Thailand – It is prohibited to ride in a car or motorcycle without a shirt. The fine can be several hundred baht (about $ 10).
Canada – It is forbidden to pay for an item that costs more than $ 25 with one dollar coins.
France, England – It is forbidden to kiss at train stations. There are no penalties.
Grenada – It is forbidden to walk around the city in a bathing suit. The penalty can be up to $ 270.
Singapore – It is forbidden to chew gum, feed birds, spit or flush a public toilet. The fines for each violation are in the order of $ 100.
