Man dressed as Zorro arrested at LAX after reports of active shooter shuts down airport
A man dressed as Zorro was arrested at LA International Airport after reports of an active shooter sparked a chaotic evacuation and flight delays.
Reports of “loud noises” that sounded like gunfire ignited panic amongst passengers and prompted police to shut the airport down, but no evidence of a gunman or shots fired were found during the search that followed.
READ MORE: LAX passengers panic after ‘loud noises’ prompt rumors of active shooter, mass evacuation
Individual in Zorro costume has been detained by @LAAirportPD
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) August 29, 2016
However, “during the incident,” they did manage to detain a man dressed as Zorro armed with a plastic sword, although airport officials have yet to clarify whether the masked man was in any way connected with the evacuation.
Before things got really crazy - a man in a Zorro costume with a plastic sword was arrested. pic.twitter.com/COdNEIb1pL
— sam macon (@sayczars) August 29, 2016
The whole saga created quite a mess for the airport and those flying, as all passengers who had fled their terminal had to get back in line to go through security once again.
There was a severe backlog of traffic coming into LAX after the closure, with as many as 23 flights, including four international, diverted to other airports and at least 68 delayed, according to CNN.
Of course the whole debacle is now focused on the bizarre man dressed as Zorro and speculation as to whether he had caused the ruckus.
Twitter is, naturally, poking fun, as only it can.
Latest images from #LAX show confusion among law enforcement... pic.twitter.com/wMzn14rWs4
— Steven (@Airwaysfoodie) August 29, 2016
I've heard people think it's him, but I doubt it because I saw him giving out hugs. #lax#dontrushtojudgepic.twitter.com/5HvVp4iZdz
— Kenny Stavert (@TheRedBari) August 29, 2016
#LAX#ZORRO
— Ralph the Joke Guy (@ralphthejokeguy) August 29, 2016
Be on the lookout! Suspect’s getaway transportation may have been a white mustang. pic.twitter.com/RU9Pb6zxam
LAX evacuated because of a man in a frickin' Zorro costume. This country is going down the tubes. https://t.co/5OM94LcWxg
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) August 29, 2016