According to news reports, the suspect had entered Terminal 3 wearing camouflage outfit and at around 9:20 am local time, had opened fire into the passenger area. In the aftermath, five individuals were taken to the hospital. According to one eyewitness, the shooter was 'single minded in his purpose.'

In the history of the Transportation Security Administration, this is the first instance that an officer had been killed in the line of duty. This was confirmed by the union representing TSA agents throughout the country. The lone TSA fatality was identified as Gerardo I. Hernandez. The suspect identified as Paul Anthony Ciancia was shot four times and was in stable condition at the hospital where he was subdued.

After the suspect was subdued, a search of his immediate vicinity found a bag containings a handwritten note saying he wanted to kill TSA employees and 'pigs'. This fact was confirmed by one of the officials who was briefed at LAX on the investigation of the incident.

The Transportation Security Administration was created in November 2001 through the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. Back then, airport ecurity was estimated at USD700 million. The cost of aviation security a decade after its creation rose to USD7.102 billion, where the TSA is allotted USD5.043 billion.