Jitters at LAX: Car crash prompts gunfire reports, causes travelers to flee terminal

a Chris Heric via TwitterOfficers with assault rifles move through a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday night after reports of gunfire. The reports turned out to be unfounded.By Christina Cocca, NBCLosAngeles.comAt the same time the sound of a car crash scared passengers into thinking shots were fired at Los Angeles International Airport Friday, travelers in another terminal were evacuated after a false report of a man with a weapon, airport officials said.Police received a call about 7:30 p.m. of possible shots fired, but upon investigation realized the loud noise of a car crash outside a parking structure between Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 incited a panic, LAX Police Sgt. Ortiz told NBC4.See original report at NBCLosAngeles.comAerial video showed officials investigating what appeared to be a wrecked SUV or van on the curb near a parking structure.After hearing the crash, travelers began to evacuate the airport on their own, Ortiz said. No shots were fired at the airport, he said.About 8:20 p.m., crowds could be seen gathered outside as police evacuated Terminal 4 after a report of a man with a weapon, airport officials said.Police found no weapon and cleared Terminal 4 for people to return inside just before 9 p.m.Flight operations in Terminal 4 were disrupted but will resume once passengers are screened by security and return to their gates, officials said.Ambulances could be seen lining the roadway in the pick-up and drop-off area of the airport.The incident comes in the wake of the Nov. 1 shooting, during which a lone gunman opened fire near Terminal 3, killing a TSA officer and wounding four others. NBC Los AngelesA wrecked vehicle is seen outside the Terminal 5 parking structure at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday night.