LAX Gunman Carried Note with Anti-Government Message

LAX shooting suspect Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, who allegedly opened fire on TSA agents at a security checkpoint.

LAX Gunman Carried Note with Anti-Government Message

The shooter, according to witnesses, was only interesting in firing on TSA agents

Officials involved with the investigation into Friday's shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport, which left one TSA agent dead and several more wounded, said that the gunman apprehended was carrying a note with "antigovernment and anti-T.S.A. ramblings."

That individual, identified as 23-year old Ciancia, was shot and wounded during the episode but has survived and remains under guard at an area hospital.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

In the note, [Ciancia] expressed "his disappointment with government" and said he had no intent to target or harm people he considered innocent bystanders, one source told The Times.

The source added that during the attack, Ciancia allegedly asked people if they were TSA employees.

"He was only interested in TSA," the source said.

A federal law enforcement official added that Ciancia "wasn't a fan of the TSA."

Leon Saryan of Greenfield, Wisc., told Mikwaukee radio station WTMJ that he was approached by the gunman.

"He looked at me and he said 'TSA?' and I shook my head and he just kept going," he said.

Authorities believe that Ciancia arrived at a TSA screening area in Terminal 3 at 9:20 a.m., pulled a rifle out of his bag and started shooting. He made his way past the security checkpoint into the terminal and continued shooting.

CNN adds:

The materials [found on Ciancia] included a rant that appeared to refer to the New World Order as well as anti-TSA and anti-government claims, a federal law enforcement official said Saturday.

The New World Order is a common conspiracy theory focused on a secretive group of international elites bent on controlling the planet and forming a one-world government.

Investigators found information on the suspect expressing not just anti-federal government sentiment but also anger at the TSA specifically, according to a federal law enforcement official.

Multiple reports cite police sources saying the note included language saying he wanted to "kill TSA" and "pigs."

The evolution of those thoughts, and how they may have led to Friday's bloody shooting, is a story that is yet to unfold.

"We are currently investigating his background and more about him," FBI Special Agent in Charge David Bowdich told reporters.

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