Los Angeles Airport Shooting Suspect To Be Arraigned

Paul Anthony Ciancia, suspect in the November 1 shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport, is scheduled for court Thursday. It will be his second court appearance since the Los Angeles airport shooting. On December 4, Ciancia was deemed a danger to the community and potential flight risk by U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bristow, who ordered him to be held without bond.

Authorities allege that Ciancia shot and killed a Transportation Security Administration screener and wounded three other people in the incident at the Los Angeles airport. He is expected to enter pleas of not guilty to 11 felony charges, according to CBS News.

The charges against Ciancia include one of murder and three of attempted murder. The indictment against him accuses Ciancia of “substantial planning and premeditation to cause the death of a person and to commit an act of terrorism.” Three charges in the 11-count indictment have a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty, but federal prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek capital punishment.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Ciancia, an unemployed motorcycle mechanic and New Jersey native residing in Los Angeles, had “a documented hatred of TSA agents and allegedly targeted them during the attack.” He is being held without bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, located east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County.

TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez, 39, was killed in the attack at Los Angeles International. Two other TSA employees and a traveler were also wounded. Hernandez was the first TSA officer ever killed in the line of duty. The coroner’s report reveals Hernandez was shot a dozen times. The gunman is alleged to have shot him on two separate occasions, returning to fire again after seeing Hernandez move.

Authorities say Ciancia showed up at Terminal 3 of Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 1 with the intention of killing TSA workers. After entering the terminal, police say Ciancia pulled a semi-automatic rifle and began firing. He was arrested after engaging in a shootout with airport police, during which he is said to have been wounded four times.

Should all TSA workers be armed at Los Angeles International and other airports?