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CNN Live Today

Federal Authorities Identify LAX Gunman

Aired July 05, 2002 - 11:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Now the latest on that deadly shooting rampage at Los Angeles International Airport. Federal authorities say the gunman who opened fire yesterday killing two people was an Egyptian who came to the U.S. in 1992.

He's been identified as Hesham Mohamed Hadayet. He was shot and killed by an airline security officer.

CNN's David Mattingly joining us from LAX with more on this. Good morning, David.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles. It continues to be the big question -- was it an act of terrorist or was it the isolated act of a single, crazed gunman. Authorities are now looking for any possible terrorist links in the background of an Egyptian national who for the last 10 years has called the United States home.

No answers yet, but Hesham Mohamed Hadayet ran into the international terminal here yesterday armed with two handguns and a knife. He shot and killed two people -- both Israelis at the El Al ticket counter. He wounded a third person and stabbed an El Al security guard all before security shot and killed him.

Now this is all very puzzling because Hadayet was a 41-year-old limo driver with a family, a father of five, living legally in Irvine, California.

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DAVID GASCON, ASSISTANT CHIEF, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT: It's going to be quite apparent to the public that there is an increase in Los Angeles Police Department personnel in addition to the Department of Airport Police.

So you'll see uniformed presence all over the place and there perhaps are other things that you won't see -- won't be that obvious but there will be a sizable contingent of personnel working.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: The El Al ticket counter is closed this morning. If you look closely at the video that we have for you, you can see bullet holes in the El Al sign. Other than that there is no indication there was ever such a terrible act of violence here.

LAX officials, Miles, very determined to get back to business as usual today.

O'BRIEN: David, business as usual is one thing but is there much talk about ways they can enhance security there at that international airport?

MATTINGLY: Well, there are a lot of passengers who had their own opinions today, wondering if the security measures that we see at the gate should somehow be expanded to the doors leading to the terminal right here.

So, again, nothing official but plenty of people with opinions this morning.

O'BRIEN: CNN's David Mattingly at Los Angeles International Airport.

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