LOS ANGELES, July 4: At least two people were shot and killed on Thursday in what officials described as a “multiple victim” shooting at the El Al ticket desk at Los Angeles airport.

Initial reports said a man had walked up to the Israeli airline’s ticket counter and fired a shot at a clerk, then opened fire on other people in the international terminal.

Airport security officials then opened fire themselves, apparently shooting dead the assailant, police said.

The incident on Thursday morning came amid heightened security around the United States as Americans celebrated the first Independence Day holiday since the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on New York and Washington.—Reuters