LAX Shooter Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder Of TSA Officer
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A gunman who opened fire inside a Los Angeles International Airport terminal in 2013, killing a TSA officer and wounding three other people, was sentenced Monday to life in prison plus 60 years.
Paul Ciancia, 26, pleaded guilty in September to the murder of Transportation Security Administration officer and father of two Gerardo Hernandez on Nov. 1, 2013, when he opened fire at LAX.
Ciancia's plea to 11 felony counts spared him the death penalty.
A judge recommended Ciancia be sent to a federal medical center in Rochester, New York, saying Ciancia needs mental health treatment.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez added the additional 60 years of sentencing for shooting and wounding TSA Officers Tony Grigsby and James Speer, and teacher Brian Ludmer.
The unemployed motorcycle mechanic from New Jersey intentionally targeted federal airport screeners, whose work stations he called "Nazi checkpoints" in a note found after the rampage, according to court documents.
Ciancia walked into Terminal 3 on Nov. 1, 2013, and opened fire using a semiautomatic rifle while carrying dozens of rounds of ammunition.
He was later shot in the neck and leg during a gun battle with airport police.
Ciancia purchased his weapon almost seven months prior to the attack and concealed it on the day of the shooting.
In previous court appearances, he has shown no reaction to the proceedings.
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