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In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, retired agent David Gates reviews the investigation of the November 1, 2013 active shooter incident at Terminal 3 at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The shooting rampage resulted in the line of duty murder of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer Gerardo Hernandez.
Two other TSA officers were wounded, along with a passenger. The gunman, Paul Anthony Ciancia, pleaded guilty to the murder and ten other criminal counts. He was sentenced to life plus sixty years in prison without parole.
This episode is dedicated to TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez.
David Gates served in the FBI for 21 years. He spent most of his Bureau career assigned to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). When he retired, he was one of the FBI’s experts in crimes on board aircraft.
Special Agent (Retired)
David Gates
4/2003 – 8/2024
Before joining the FBI, he spent 7 years with the United States Customs Service at LAX. Within a year of graduating from the FBI Academy, he was transferred to the FBI’s office at LAX, which at the time had 3 agents. He spent 20 years at LAX with the FBI. Over the years, the squad grew to its current composition of a full task force with a dozen agents and task force officers. In 2017, David was picked as the first-ever Supervisory Special Agent for the newly formed LAX squad.
Over 20 years, SSA Gates worked on hundreds of investigations involving crimes on board aircraft and federal crimes at airports.
He spoke at over 100 conferences as a specialist in aviation crimes, including national JTTF conferences, international aviation security symposiums, and law enforcement events. He received a dozen US Attorney’s Office awards for outstanding investigations, multiple national counterintelligence awards for outstanding investigations, two FBI Medals of Excellence, and over twenty FBI citations for outstanding achievement.
Since retiring from the FBI, he is now employed as the Regional Security Manager for Delta Air Lines. He is still at LAX.
David was previously on FBI Retired Case File Review. Listen here – 340: David Gates – FBI at LAX, Sexual Assault On Board Aircraft
Listen to FBI Retired Case File Review episode 255: Katherine Schweit – School Shootings, Active Shooter Program to learn more about how to keep safe during active shooter events.
The following are links to articles, reports, and images about the airport active shooter case and Zorro incident at LAX:
TSA Website – 11/1/2023: Ten years later – memories of fallen TSA officer still vivid
The Guardian – 10/31/2013: Gunman kills one and injures others at LAX airport in Los Angeles
Daily Breeze – 9/6/2017: Autopsy: TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez was shot 12 times
The Guardian – 11/3/2013: LAX shooting accused unable to answer questions in FBI investigation
NPR – 11/7/2016: Los Angeles Airport Shooter Sentenced To Life In Prison
LA Times – 11/6/2013: Slain TSA agent honored with memorial flag at LAX
Congress.gov – 3/28/2014 and 5/29/2014: “LESSONS FROM THE LAX SHOOTING: PREPARING FOR AND RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES AT AIRPORTS”
TSA Website – 3/26/2014: “ENHANCING TSA OFFICER SAFETY AND SECURITY: AGENCY ACTIONS AND PATH FORWARD”
Los Angeles World Airports – 10/30/2014: “NOVEMBER 1, 2013 TERMINAL 3 SHOOTING AFTER ACTION REPORT IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND AIRPORT POLICE UPDATE: ONE YEAR LATER”
ABC News (VIDEO) – 8/31/2016: LAX Panic Was Sparked by Man in Zorro Costume and Loud Emergency Locks, Officials Say
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