Miami airport on lockdown after ‘shots fired’ reports with police rushing to scene

Miami International Airport was placed on lockdown following reports of shots fired on Wednesday afternoon

A major international airport was put into lockdown following reports that shots had been fired on Wednesday afternoon.

Police rushed to Miami International Airport at approximately 5pm local time on Wednesday (September 23) ‘following reports of shots fired’, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Officers arrested ‘a subject’, with a statement from police adding: “There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time. The investigation remains ongoing.

“Travelers are encouraged to allow additional time and follow the direction of law enforcement and airport personnel.”

In the immediate aftermath, a spokesperson for Miami International Airport confirmed it had initiated a partial lockdown of its facilities. They said: “Due to law enforcement activity at the airport, the departure level roadway and the terminal area from Doors 12 to 17 are temporarily closed.

“All vehicle traffic is currently being diverted to the arrivals level. All passengers and airport employees are safe.

“We are working closely with MDSO and will provide more details as soon as they become available.”

Miami is America’s busiest cargo airport, handling three million tonnes annually. Some 55 million passengers passed through its terminals last year, making it the eighth-busiest US airport by passenger numbers.

It has four runways, one of which was recently the scene of tragedy when an Amazon Cargo Plane overshot the tarmac and killed five people travelling in a van around the runway.