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| Paul Ciancia |
Hernandez was killed Friday when 23-year-old Paul Ciancia walked into Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport, pulled out an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle from his duffel bag and starting firing at TSA officers. The shooting sent travelers scrambling for safety, with many trapped at gates toward the end of the terminal, forcing them to flee out onto the tarmac. Hernandez had worked at LAX since 2010 and was shot and killed at point blank range, only 1 week away from his 40th birthday. The injured gunman now faces murder charges.
“He was always excited to go to work and enjoyed the interactions with the passengers at LAX,” Ana Hernandez said of her husband, as her voice cracked with emotion while she read from a folded piece of paper. “He was a joyful person, always smiling. He took pride in his duty for the American public and for the TSA mission.”
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“Gerardo was a great man who always showed his love for our family. He was always there to help anyone in need and always made people laugh with his wonderful sense of humor,” she added.
In the melee, 2 other TSA officers were also hit and were treated at hospital and released. However, Hernandez was the first TSA official in the agency’s 12-year history to be killed in the line of duty. The shooting and his ultimate death has initiated new discussion regarding protection of TSA officials, who are basically sitting ducks as they serve as the first line of security at U.S. airports.
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TSA Administrator John Pistole offered condolences to Hernandez’s wife and children during a 30 minute visit to the family home on Saturday. He promised the agency would review its policy on officer and airport safety to avoid similar attacks in the future.
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"The shooting and his ultimate death has initiated new discussion regarding protection of TSA officials, who are basically sitting ducks as they serve as the first line of security at U.S. airports."
Sadly, we are ALL now "sitting ducks" as long as this nation continues to turn a blind eye to the mentally-ill population among us (that seems to be growing by the day) while also giving free-reign to the NRA to direct our gun-laws. Thus, making America, IMO, a very dangerous place to live.