Good on Gary for seeing the funny side – we’d have shat ourselves.
Reports of a shooting at LA Airport caused mayhem on Sunday night – until it was confirmed as a false alarm by LA Airport police. We know this partly due to rolling news from the US, but also due to a very famous correspondent – Gary Lineker.
That’s right, the Match Of The Day presenter was on the flight diverted to Las Vegas because of a suspected terror alert – which turned out to be a man dressed as Zorro. We shit you not – that seems to be the long and the short of it.
As Gary explains…
Flight I'm on to LA diverted to Las Vegas due to guy dressed as Zorro waving a plastic sword at LAX. Presumably he was on his way to Vegas.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 29, 2016
A fellow sports reporter, Ben Smith, backed up the story…
I'm at LAX, Gary. Beyond ridiculous. People missing connections to flights all over the world. Because of Zorro!
— Ben Smith (@BSmith) August 29, 2016
very Hollywood.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 29, 2016
A statement from LA Airport said that “passengers in several LAX terminals self-evacuated onto the tarmac and rushed through federal security screening without being properly screened” after it was reported that shots were fired at the airport.
According to Andy Neiman, Commanding Officer of LAPD Media Relations, the reports of a shooting were proven to be ‘loud noises’ and an investigation was launched in an attempt to determine where the loud noises were coming from.
Report of shooting at LAX proven to be LOUD NOISES only No Shots Fired No Injuries investigation continues to locate source
— Andy Neiman (@LAPDNeiman) August 29, 2016
As Lineker stated, a man in a Zorro costume waving a plastic sword was arrested and detained by police.
Individual in Zorro costume has been detained by @LAAirportPD
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) August 29, 2016
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
All terminals have since been cleared and passengers are proceeding through federal screening security in all terminals; police are searching LAX and are taking all precautions to ensure the safety of the public.
All terminals have been cleared and passengers are proceeding through federal security screening in all terminals.
— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) August 29, 2016
Police searching LAX after reports. All precautions being taken to ensure safety of public. Remain calm. Thank you for your cooperation
— LA Airport PD (@LAAirportPD) August 29, 2016
As for Gary, he preempted the predictable responses to his eye-witness account with admirable grace…
Shat on Zorro!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 29, 2016
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