Airport Police Confrontation Ends in Fatal Shooting
A man brandishing a knife was shot and killed by a police officer at St. Louis Lambert International Airport in the early hours of Friday, 21 November 2025. The incident occurred outside Terminal 1 around 1 a.m., according to a statement from St. Louis County Police spokesperson Vera Clay.
Details of the Terminal 1 Incident
Officers initially encountered the man in an area where he was not permitted to be. When they instructed him to move, he produced a knife. The police attempted to subdue him using Tasers, but the man continued to advance towards the officers. In response, one officer discharged their firearm, fatally wounding the individual.
Authorities have confirmed that the man was not believed to be using the airport for travel purposes. The location of the confrontation was near the light rail line that serves the terminal and was not situated behind security checkpoints, placing it in a public area of the airport.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. The two involved officers, who are part of the airport's police department, had six months and one year of service respectively, alongside prior law enforcement experience.
The rail service to Terminal 1 was temporarily suspended, with shuttle services implemented as an alternative. The airport itself remained operational throughout the incident. The St. Louis County Police Department has now taken lead of the investigation, and a crime scene was established near the American Airlines ticketing counter.
This serious event marred the beginning of one of the busiest travel periods of the year, as countless Americans began their journeys for the Thanksgiving holiday.
