Editor’s note: Court documents were released on the accused shooter on Thursday as she made her first court appearance.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Shots were fired late Tuesday night inside Portland International Airport at a TSA checkpoint, officials said.
According to the Port of Portland, shots were fired near the D and E gates TSA checkpoint prompting an immediate response by police.
Just after 11:00 p.m., the Port of Portland said a woman exited a restroom near the TSA checkpoint and fired a handgun into the air several times.
Hundreds of travelers and airport workers in the area ran and took cover. Some passengers were rushed back onto planes that had just landed.
“A TSA lady approached us with her arms extended out saying we couldn’t leave,” a traveler told KOIN 6 News. “There was an active shooter in the D concourse and we were all being detained.”
She and others worried whether it was a mass casualty situation. But after about a half hour, they were told they got the all clear and could leave slowly. But some people ran, leaving their bags and other belongings behind.
No injuries were sustained from the gunshots, authorities say.
The suspect, later identified as Laura Patterson, 47, from Kennewick, WA, was taken into custody and faces several charges including attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and unlawful use of a weapon.
Police confirmed Patterson was not a ticketed passenger.
Port police recovered a handgun and are looking to talk with anyone who can provide more information in this investigation.
