Drugs

Police say attempted drug transaction, shooting preceded Phoenix airport terminal's lockdown

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Hundreds of travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's terminal 4 wait for police to search for an armed suspect, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. The suspect is believed to be involved in a Tempe shooting. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Charlie Leight) (The Associated Press)

Julie Saso, of San Jose, waits with hundreds of of other travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's terminal 4 wait for police to search for an armed suspect, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. The suspect is believed to be involved in a Tempe shooting. Saso just arrived to surprise her niece on her 8th birthday. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Charlie Leight) (The Associated Press)

Cars are backed up as Terminal 4 is in lock down at Phoenix Sky Harbor in Phoenix, Ariz., on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Patrick Breen) (The Associated Press)

Police in Arizona say an attempted drug transaction was behind a shooting that led to a three-hour lockdown of the busiest terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Tempe police say the attempted drug transaction and shooting took place at a Tempe gas station Thursday afternoon. Three suspects were pursued to the airport in nearby Phoenix where two were quickly apprehended.

A third suspect remained at large as hundreds of officers searched Terminal 4. He ultimately was found hiding in a parking garage. The lockdown resulted in 25 flight cancellations.

Lt. Mike Pooley says the three suspects were arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of multiple crimes.

According to Pooley, the person who was shot during the alleged attempted drug transaction is hospitalized and expected to live.