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Oklahoma City Airport On Lockdown: Southwest Airlines Employee Killed, Suspect Still On Loose

By Tara West
Published on: 11:23 PST, Nov 15, 2016

The Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City was placed on lockdown with all incoming and outgoing flights suspended this afternoon after a shooter killed a Southwest Airlines employee. Travelers in the airport were told to “shelter in place” as police responded to the scene. The employee was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Police confirm that the suspect has not been taken into custody and is still on the loose.

KJRH reports that 52-year-old Southwest Airlines employee Michael Winchester was killed today at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. The shooting occurred at approximately 1:00 p.m. when police responded to a call about a possible shooting at the airport.

Upon arrival, one victim was found in the airport parking lot and was later identified as the Southwest Airlines employee. There was an alleged second victim that police were also searching for based on the initial call. However, only one victim was found. Following the discovery of the victim, police informed everyone in the airport to shelter in place and all incoming and outgoing flights were halted.

The traffic into and out of the airport was also halted with many taking to Twitter noting they had been stuck in their vehicles for hours.

However, five hours after the shooting, the Will Rogers World Airport is still closed and police have not made any arrests in the shooting death of the Southwest employee. The airport remained on lockdown with police finally attempting to move people from the interior of the building at around 4:00 p.m. The efforts are reportedly still underway.

According to CNN, police have still not identified the shooter in the case and a manhunt is currently underway in the city. Capt. Paco Balderrama of the Oklahoma City Police Department says they have some “basic information” on who the suspect may be, but it is still unclear if the suspect and victim knew each other.

“We have some basic information who the suspect might be.”

As the search continues, all incoming and outgoing vehicles at the airport were checked with police officers searching airport shuttle buses.

The airport has confirmed that all of the remaining flights for Tuesday have been cancelled and advised passengers to keep checking with airlines regarding tomorrow’s flight schedule.

This story is developing and the Inquisitr will keep you posted as more information is made available.

Update 7:17 p.m. EST: The Kansas City Star reports that the victim Michael Winchester was the father of Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester.

[Featured Image by KWTV/AP Images]

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