Airport reopens following fatal shooting of NFL star’s dad
A Southwest Airlines’ employee, who was the father of a well-known NFL player, was shot and killed on Tuesday afternoon at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City.
The murder suspect was later found dead inside a vehicle in an airport carpark.
The airport was on lockdown for several hours before resuming operations.
Passengers were kept inside the terminal for several hours and about 25 flights were cancelled.
Southwest Airlines cancelled all its remaining flights for the day, spokeswoman Brandy King said.
The airline employee was named as Michael Winchester, 52, a ramp supervisor, who is the father of Kansas City Chiefs NFL player James Winchester. Police are also seeking a second victim who was believed to have been shot at the same time.
The Chiefs later posted a tweet: "Our love and support is with James and the entire Winchester family. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you."
Police said it was likely a premeditated killing.
"This individual went there and waited for the employee to either be coming or going to take this opportunity," Oklahoma City Police Capt. Paco Balderrama.
"We lost a cherished Southwest employee today in an act of violence in Oklahoma City," Southwest CEO Gary Kelly tweeted.
The shooter, who died from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, has not been officially named yet.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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