LAX Shooter Pleads Not Guilty

  • Print
Details
Category: Crime
Published on Thursday, 26 December 2013 17:48
Written by Janet Walker

Paul Anthony Ciancia, the accused LAX shooter, has pled not guilty to murdering a TSA Agent and 10 other related federal charges in his second court appearance since the November 1, 2013 shooting.

Cinancia, 23, still recovery from wounds received during the shoot out with police inside the Los Angles International Airport Terminal, appeared to listen intently to U.S. Magistrate Judge David Bristow as he explained the charges against the former New Jersey resident.

Cinancia, repeatedly touched his bandaged throat, answered “not guilty” when asked to enter a plea. In a December 4 hearing, he was denied bail on grounds he poses a flight risk and is a danger to the community.

He is accused of the cold blooded murder of Gerardo Hernandez, 39, a Transportation Security Agent on duty at LAX. He then proceeded to walk further into the airport firing as many as 20 rounds with a high powered assault weapon. As many as seven others may have sustained a range of injuries from life threatening to minor.

Ciancia was critically wounded, by LAX police and TSA agents, and taken to UCLA Medical Center. He was hospitalized for two weeks and transferred to a detention center in Rancho Cucamonga, California 40 miles outside Los Angeles.

Hernandez is the first TSA agent murdered in the line of duty since the agency was formed, over a decade ago, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Prosecutor has not determined if they will seek the death penalty.  

Sources: Various