A man armed with a knife was shot at Miami international Airport following a confrontation with a Miami-Dade police officer, according to authorities.
The conflict unfolded Thursday night and prompted the evacuation of Terminal J, CBS Miami reported. The airport confirmed there was a “security incident involving a single suspect & @MiamiDadePD.”
A man armed with a knife was reportedly shot after being confronted by a police officer. He was transported to the Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center and his condition is unknown at this time.
The man reportedly fled when authorities arrived on the scene before he attempted to re-enter the main airport through the ceiling, authorities told the Miami Herald. Witnesses said the person appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was acting erratically.
The Miami International Airport said the “situation is under control.” Miami-Dade Police said “there is no further threat or danger to the public at this time,” and that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would investigate the incident.
The airport added the terminal would remain temporarily closed even as people hurry to leave the Sunshine State ahead of Hurricane Irma.
Spokesman for Miami-Dade Aviation Department Marc Henderson told the news station there were 114 cancellations Thursday, 61 arrivals and 53 departures at the airports. Some of the affected airlines include American Airlines, Air France, and Silver Airways.
The shooting happened between 8:30 and 9 p.m. in an area where only one plane was scheduled for departure. That flight was delayed and those in the area were evacuated, police director Juan Perez told the Miami Herald. He said it was unclear whether the unidentified man went through a TSA checkpoint, but managed to breach the restricted area and make his way onto the tarmac.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Thursday urged residents to evacuate as the the record-breaking storm with its 185 mph winds bared down on the state after roaring through the Caribbean. He ordered mandatory evacuations of the Florida Keys as well as Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the latter of which is home to airport.
“This is a catastrophic storm that our state hasn’t seen,” Scott said. “It has already killed a lot of people in the Caribbean. Don’t think you can ride out this storm.”
The Category 5 storm has already impacted Haiti the Dominican Republic, Turk and Caicos as well as other Caribbean Islands. It’s slated to hit Cuba before heading toward Southern Florida this weekend.