The Transportation Security Administration confirmed one of its employees had been shot.

Emergency vehicles and heavily armed police are on the scene and have established a triage area. Officers were searching the terminals.

Passengers have evacuated the airport, some onto the tarmac.

A "single shooter" was arrested after opening fire near Terminal 3, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities engaged the suspect, and multiple people were reported wounded. Their condition remains unknown.

The Federal Aviation Administration has barred all flights landing at the airport, and outbound flights have been delayed.

The incident was initially reported after 9:30 local time (16:30 GMT).

Witness Brian Keech, told the Associated Press news agency he heard "about a dozen gunshots" from inside the security gate at Terminal 3.

The White House confirmed President Barack Obama had been briefed on the incident.

NJF/NJF