Robert Zouzounis

On November 1, 2013, a lone gunman walked into Terminal 3 of the Los Angeles International airport and opened fire with a semi-automatic assault rifle, killing one TSA officer and wounding seven civilians. The initial call to Airport Police dispatch was received within 60 seconds of the shooting. Los Angeles Airport Police Sergeant Steve Zouzounis acknowledged the call and was on scene just 30 seconds later, and joined immediately by five Airport Police officers responding to the shooting: David Lalicker, Brian Lopez, Robert Pedregon, Raymond Woods and Daniel Yu.

Trying to determine possible accomplices among the hundreds of passengers, the six officers assumed a diamond shaped “active shooter formation” and advanced on the gunman. Determining the assailant was acting alone, the officers split into two groups of three and entered from opposite ends of the concourse the shooter was located. The officers confronted him and exchanged gun fire. Due to the six officer’s quick and decisive actions, the shooter was neutralized and taken into custody within four minutes after the initial “shots fired” radio call. Paramedics transported the perpetrator to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The ssssdactssssssions of these officers prevented the shooter from further injuring or fatally wounding hundreds of airport personnel and travelers.