Man swinging a machete shot at New Orleans airport

[Lite Beer]

Police: Man swinging a machete shot at New Orleans airport
Associated Press

KENNER, La. (AP) — The New Orleans airport concourse that became a scene of chaos when a machete-wielding man was shot by a sheriff's lieutenant re-opened Saturday morning and a spokeswoman said airport operations were normal.

Meanwhile, the suspect in the bizarre Friday night attack at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport remained in serious condition at a hospital.

Richard White, 62, of Kenner is alleged to have approached a security checkpoint, spraying agents and travelers with wasp killer before drawing a machete from his waistband and chasing a security agent.

White, who is believed to be a former taxi driver, was shot three times by a sheriff's office lieutenant who was stationed at the concourse.

"We don't know what his motive was," Col. John Fortunato of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities said they believed White has worked as a taxi driver. A sheriff's news release said he had "a few minor arrests." Fortunato said investigators were continuing Saturday to check into his employment and criminal history.

White approached the security checkpoint at the airport's busy Concourse B shortly before 8 p.m.

Sheriff Newell Normand said White sprayed Transportation Security Administration agents and several passengers in line at the checkpoint with wasp killer. He then drew a large machete from the waistband of his pants.

At one point a male TSA agent blocked the machete with a piece of luggage as White ran through a metal detector.

Lt. Heather Slyve of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office drew her weapon. White continued to swing the machete as she approached, and she fired three rounds, striking him in the face, chest and leg, according to Normand.

The TSA agent who was running from White was grazed in the arm by one of the rounds. Her wound was not life-threatening. The TSA agents' names have not been released.

Concourse B serves Southwest Airlines. Southwest flights were diverted to another concourse Friday night. Airport spokeswoman Michelle Wilcut said in an email that Concourse B reopened normally Saturday morning for its first departing flight.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-22

[Scott]

I believe he has now died.

http://news.yahoo.com/police-suspect-shot-orleans-airport-died-223615894.html

[NeverSure]

The Times-Picayune of New Orleans says he died. Here's more info and a pic of him.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/03/new_orleans_airport_machete_at.html

[NeilSA1]

Good action by the officer. Well done. You are a hero - it took guts.

( I am not an English school teacher but a simple comma in the headlines would clarify matters. )

[NeverSure]

Agreed. It must however be life changing and traumatic for the officer. Most police officers go an entire career without shooting someone. When it happens it often comes out of nowhere like this without much time to think. "Am I really going to kill someone and is it really justified"? At that same moment the officer is shooting to save herself or someone else.

A handgun is very hard to shoot accurately even at the range with no pressure. Apparently the bullet which was fatal also struck the woman the officer was trying to protect. Fortunately it was a grazing shot, but it must have been a tight one and I wouldn't have wanted to take it. What a responsibility.

Yes hats off to the officer. I hope it doesn't give her anything close to PTSD or any other problems.

[mercman24]

yes you know the old saying, dont bring a knife to a gunfight, sounds like the guy had mental issues ?? spraying people with wasp killer ??

[jaywalker]

That's it!!!!!! I'm fed up!

We need Machete Control!

Machetes kill people! They aren't safe! ANYONE can buy one without a background check!

[jaywalker]

yes you know the old saying, dont bring a knife to a gunfight, sounds like the guy had mental issues ?? spraying people with wasp killer ??

I knew a medic in the Army. He was a pretty sharp guy. Said he was around an idiot that had brought RAID roach killer with him for bug spray to the field once & sprayed his head with it.

RAID is nothing but pure nerve agent & they had to get a helicopter medevac for the idiot.

I have a friend that had a drug-crazed wife 30 years ago, that sprayed him in the eyes with RAID. Damned near killed him!

Said he flopped around his front yard & managed to find a water hose and layed there for an hour hosing his eyes out.

[Suradit69]

yes you know the old saying, dont bring a knife to a gunfight, sounds like the guy had mental issues ?? spraying people with wasp killer ??

Makes Bangkok taxi drivers seem like pussy cats in comparison.

[MaxYakov]

Article: ""We don't know what his motive was," Col. John Fortunato of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said."

It's obvious that he thought the airport was infested with wasps and decided to take immediate, personal action.

[siampolee]

MaxYakov post # 10

It's obvious that he thought the airport was infested with wasps and decided to take immediate, personal action.

WASPS , '' White Anglo Saxon Protestants ?

Surprised no-one has jumped on the Muslim band wagon yet.

[IAMHERE]

Good action by the officer. Well done. You are a hero - it took guts.

( I am not an English school teacher but a simple comma in the headlines would clarify matters. )

Agreed; 3 shots and 3 hits, Pretty decent shooting.

[cookee68]

Lucky his name wasn't black, when is the rioting going to start now, oh I forgot his name was White,.