A late-night altercation outside a restaurant at Phoenix Sky Harbor Terminal 4 escalated into a shooting on Thursday, leaving four people injured. Here is a detailed account of the incident, what unfolded, and the subsequent response from authorities.
Incident Overview
Time and Location:
The altercation occurred just after 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
It took place outside a restaurant located on the third level of Terminal 4, an area housing shops and eateries outside the airport’s security screening zone.
Nature of the Incident:
According to Sgt. Mayra Reeson, a physical fight among five individuals, who were all acquainted, escalated when one person pulled out a firearm and began shooting.
Four people were injured, including:
A woman with life-threatening injuries.
Three men in stable condition.
Police Response and Investigation
Initial Findings:
Officers arrived to find three gunshot victims and another individual in the Terminal 4 parking garage with a stab wound.
Two people were detained:
An underage girl.
An adult man with the stab wound.
A firearm was recovered at the scene.
Suspects:
Police confirmed there are no outstanding suspects, reassuring the public that the situation is under control.
Airport Operations
Phoenix police posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the shooting investigation did not affect flights.
Temporary measures included:
Closure of the Terminal 4 A security checkpoint.
Suspension of PHX Sky Train operations as a precaution.
Normal operations resumed shortly after the incident.
Secondary Incident
False Active Shooter Report:
A man reportedly reacted to a text falsely claiming an active shooter was at Sky Harbor.
He arrived at the airport with multiple firearms and was arrested after a brief confrontation with police.
Sgt. Reeson emphasised, “There was no active shooter; there never was.”
Eyewitness Accounts
Marvin Miller, Airport Cleaner:
Miller, who was finishing his shift, heard three distinct gunshots from the lower-level ticketing area of Terminal 4.
Reflecting on airport safety, Miller expressed concerns about the ease with which individuals can access terminal areas without security checks.
Official Statements
Eric Everts, Airport Spokesperson:
In an emailed statement, Everts said, “The incident has been resolved and operations are returning to normal.”
Further inquiries were directed to the Phoenix Police Department.
Safety and Security Concerns
This incident has sparked conversations about public access to terminal areas that are not subject to security screening.
Authorities have yet to disclose whether the individuals involved in the altercation are Arizona residents.
What’s Next?
The Phoenix Police Department continues to investigate the incident.
Identities of the suspects remain undisclosed at this time.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
Sources
Statements from Sgt. Mayra Reeson during a news conference.
Updates from Phoenix Police Department on X.
Eyewitness accounts and official airport communication.