PHOENIX — Several police officers and other first responders were dispatched to reports of gunfire inside Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor Airport on Christmas night, according to officials with the Phoenix airport. Police were called to the scene at 9:41 p.m., prompting immediate action and the temporary closure of the terminal.
Witness reports indicated panic as travelers were informed of the situation upon entering the terminal, with one individual stating he was told there was an active shooter inside the airport and was escorted outside. Gabriella Uloa, who was dropping off family for their flight, shared her terrifying experience with 12News, saying she saw a "badly injured" person being taken away by ambulance. "It's frightening because it's the holidays, of course everyone wants to get home, they want to get home to their families, listening to kids cry, it's frightening," Uloa said.
Terminal 4 was closed to the public during the investigation, and operations of the PHX Sky Train were paused as precautionary measures. Following the initial reports of gunfire, the Phoenix Police confirmed the incident but reassured the public there was no active threat. "No suspects are being sought after, airport operations have resumed to normal business," the department stated via X, clarifying the situation was under control.
Sky Harbor Airport released their own statement detailing the police response. "At about 9:41 p.m., police responded to reports of gunshots fired in Terminal 4. The Terminal 4 A security checkpoint was temporarily closed and PHX Sky Train operations were paused at Terminal 4 as precaution," the statement read, underlining the importance of their safety protocols.
Despite the weight of the situation, specifics about injuries remain unclear. While reports from various outlets hinted at serious injuries, specific confirmations were not immediately available. At one point, yellow crime scene tape marked off sections of the terminal as investigators began their inquiries.
The rapid police response and the coordinated effort helped to avert what could have been a much more chaotic scenario. Witness accounts painted a scene of confusion, with emergency crews responding quickly to support the injured, though the full scale of the scenario is still being pieced together.
Reports circulating on social media made claims of multiple individuals being shot. One person noted, "Christmas shooting at PHX Sky Harbor airport. Seems to be developing." These claims added to the urgency and chaos as alerts circulated around the terminal about the incident.
Following the incident, police activity began to dwindle, and by approximately 10:30 p.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted, allowing travelers back inside Terminal 4. Operations resumed, but not without leaving travelers wary about recent events impacting their holiday plans.
Many people have begun expressing their frustrations and fears about safety at one of the busiest travel times of the year, especially as families gathered to celebrate Christmas. The Phoenix Fire Department, which tagged along on the response, deferred comments about the situation, stating Phoenix police would manage the flow of information.
The full consequences of the incident, including the nature of injuries and any possible motives, are still under investigation as police continue gathering relevant data surrounding the shooting incident.
Sky Harbor Airport, known for its role as the main hub for Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, has dealt with security incidents before but the tone of the current matter has sparked concern within the aviation community and the traveling public.
Authorities are expected to release more information as investigations continue and attempts to confirm the safety of those using the terminal are prioritized. Travelers are advised to stay updated via official channels as the situation continues to develop.
While operations at the terminal have returned to normal, the heightened state of alert remains as law enforcement works to piece together details leading up to the chaos of Christmas night at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
