ST. LOUIS — Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that took place inside Terminal 1 at St. Louis Lambert International Airport early Friday morning. According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the incident unfolded around 1 a.m. and involved officers from the Lambert Airport Police Department. Officials said an individual was shot during the encounter and later died from their injuries. No additional injuries were reported, and no airport employees or travelers were harmed.
When reporters from 5 On Your Side arrived, they observed an active crime scene located near the American Airlines ticketing area, with police securing the space as investigators worked to process evidence. The circumstances that led to the confrontation and shooting have not yet been disclosed, and officials have not released the identity of the deceased individual.
The airport issued updates on its social media channels, noting that the situation prompted immediate operational changes. Lambert announced that the MetroLink station serving Terminal 1 was temporarily shut down. Travelers who normally use that station were redirected to Terminal 2, where shuttle services were made available on the upper level at Door 2 to help passengers reach their destinations. Additionally, the usual passenger pickup area for Terminal 1 was shifted to Door 6, also on the upper level, to keep people away from the active investigation site and maintain safety.
Terminal 1 hosts a number of major airlines, including American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Cape Air, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country, Spirit, and United Airlines, making it one of the airport’s busiest hubs. Despite the incident, airport officials have emphasized that operations continue, though travelers may encounter delays or detours as police remain on scene.
The timing of the shooting heightened concerns, coming on what is projected to be one of the busiest travel days of the season. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expected nearly 19,700 passengers to pass through security checkpoints in St. Louis on Friday, marking the official start of the holiday travel rush. With thousands of people moving through the airport, authorities are working swiftly to restore normal traffic patterns while ensuring the safety of travelers and staff.
Passengers arriving at the airport early Friday were met with increased police presence, blocked-off areas, and instructions directing them to alternative entrances and transportation points. Airport officials advised travelers to give themselves extra time and to check for updates from their airlines in case of schedule changes or modified check-in procedures.
While the airport resumed most normal functions quickly, many travelers expressed concern about the nature of the incident. Police have not yet revealed whether the shooting began with a disturbance, a security-related issue, or a separate incident that escalated. The St. Louis County Police Department is leading the investigation, with support from airport police and other responding agencies. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and gathering details to determine what led to the fatal encounter.
As of now, no additional information about the suspect or the circumstances of the shooting has been made publicly available. Authorities are expected to release further updates as they learn more.
The deadly incident has cast a somber tone over the start of the holiday travel period at Lambert, a time typically marked by heavy passenger volume, family reunions, and seasonal journeys. While airport operations continue, the community awaits answers as investigators work to piece together what happened inside Terminal 1 in the early morning hours.
