Three Shot and One Stabbed in Christmas Day Altercation at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport
Two men are currently in stable condition, while a woman is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries at a local hospital, according to police reports.
According to police, three individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and one person was stabbed during a confrontation that occurred on Christmas evening at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Phoenix police Sgt. Mayra Reeson stated during a press conference that the incident transpired just outside a security checkpoint at Terminal 4, and no other individuals were harmed.
“Of course, this is frightening. It’s Christmas Eve. Everyone is trying to return home—100 percent, the community was quite worried about this,” Reeson remarked.
Reeson indicated that airport officers responded at 9:45 p.m. to a report of a potential physical altercation near a restaurant and the security checkpoint at Terminal 4.
The conflict “escalated when an individual drew a handgun” and opened fire, she explained.
Police discovered three individuals with gunshot wounds at the scene, alongside a fourth person who had sustained a stab wound in the terminal’s parking area.
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According to Reeson, two men are in stable condition, while a woman is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries at a local hospital.
She added that a fourth individual was hospitalized with what appeared to be a single stab wound.
“This incident has been handled. It was resolved very swiftly,” Reeson stated.
She also mentioned that a female juvenile is in police custody, although no charges have been filed at this time.
“What I can share is that all those involved in this incident are known to each other. No community members or travelers were harmed,” Reeson explained.
In a separate “secondary incident,” a man claiming to possess firearms was taken into custody by airport police after he allegedly received a text about an active shooter at the airport on Christmas Day, Reeson stated.
“This was never an active shooter situation. He arrived at the airport with firearms,” Reeson clarified.
The unidentified man has been booked into custody at the Maricopa County jail and faces charges.
“We’ve just concluded the briefing. I don’t have all the specifics,” Reeson noted.
The Epoch Times contacted Phoenix police for additional comments, but did not receive a response prior to publication.
In 2023, the TSA seized a total of 235 firearms (including 223 that were loaded) at Sky Harbor, setting a new record.
The TSA surpassed a previous record from 2022 of 6,542 firearms confiscated at checkpoints nationwide, intercepting 6,737 firearms in 2023, with 93 percent of those being loaded.
The agency cautions that passengers found with firearms at security checkpoints risk arrest and fines of up to $15,000.
“The domestic violence incident @PHXSkyHarbor last night is unacceptable in our city, especially during the holiday season,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed on X following the Sky Harbor shooting.
“I am thankful for @PhoenixPolice’s prompt response and remain dedicated to ensuring the safety of everyone traveling through our airport.”
