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A suspect brandishing a knife was fatally shot by police at St. Louis Lambert International Airport early Friday morning after he ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon, authorities reported.
According to St. Louis County Police, the shooting occurred at approximately 1:05 a.m. local time. At the time, airport police officers were performing standard security patrols in Terminal 1 when they encountered the armed man.
Police stated, “The suspect ignored orders to relinquish the knife and was subsequently tased by one officer. Despite this, he advanced towards the officers, prompting a second officer to discharge his firearm, hitting the suspect.” The man was declared dead at the scene.
Officials noted that the officers involved in the incident have been with the STL Airport Police for six months and one year, respectively, both bringing previous law enforcement experience to their roles.
The image shows a terminal at St. Louis Lambert International Airport alongside Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers performing passenger inspections in October 2016. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are now reviewing the incident.
Fox News Digital reached out to St. Louis Lambert International Airport for comment.
A man walking with his carry-on luggage at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The suspect has not been publicly identified.
“Today’s incident in Terminal One was a tragic event for our Airport Community. However, I take great pride in our response. As police responded and county authorities conducted their investigation, we were able to continue normal operations at STL,” St. Louis Lambert International Airport CEO and Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge told KSDK.
An American Eagle plane is seen on the tarmac at St Louis Lambert International Airport in St Louis, Missouri, on Oct. 23, 2019. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
“The Terminal One MetroLink station was closed for approximately three hours. During that time, shuttle buses were used to transport riders from Terminal One to the Terminal Two MetroLink station,” she added. “The airport is cooperating with the St. Louis County Police Department as they continue their investigation.”