Chaos erupts at Phoenix airport as family feud leads to shooting and stabbing
- A family dispute escalated at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, resulting in three gunshot wounds and one stabbing.
- The incident took place at around 9:45 p.m. on Christmas night at a restaurant in Terminal 4, with all individuals involved being known to each other.
- Police confirmed that there is no ongoing threat at the airport, and operations have since returned to normal while an investigation continues.
On Christmas night, a violent incident erupted at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, resulting in three people suffering from gunshot wounds and one individual being stabbed. The altercation occurred at around 9:45 p.m. outside a restaurant located in Terminal 4, sparking a significant police response. Phoenix police reported that all involved parties were known to each other and that the disagreement escalated from a physical altercation into gunfire when one individual retrieved a weapon. The authorities later detained a man and a juvenile female in the airport's parking garage, and both had ties to the dispute. Among the injured, reports indicate that one adult female is in critical condition due to gunshot wounds, while two adult males suffered injuries considered stable and non-life-threatening. Additionally, the man who was stabbed is also reported to be in stable condition after being treated at a local hospital. The police noted that no other individuals at the airport were harmed, as they quickly secured the scene and ensured public safety. In the immediate aftermath, the airport's operations were affected, with temporary closures of Terminal 4's security checkpoint and a brief pause in the Sky Train operations. However, by 10:30 p.m., normal operations resumed, and detectives began investigating the incident thoroughly. Police expressed that there was no ongoing threat to the airport, and despite the chaos, flights were not disrupted by the altercation. Compounding the situation, another unrelated incident occurred at the airport shortly after the first, involving a man who believed there was an active shooter present. Disturbed by misinformation received through a text message, he arrived at the airport armed. An altercation ensued between him and police officers, which resulted in his detention. Fortunately, this second incident did not lead to any injuries, and police confirmed that the two events were unrelated. Overall, the police department directed their efforts towards managing the crisis efficiently while investigating the reasons behind the initial family dispute that caused the violence.