A quiet afternoon at Elko Regional Airport in northeastern Nevada turned deadly when a shooting in the terminal left a child and the suspected gunman dead, according to officials. The city-owned, single-terminal airport was quickly locked down, inbound flights were held up, and travelers were diverted as police moved in and warned of cancellations and late arrivals.
Elko Police Lt. Shane Daz told KSL that an active shooter was reported at about 12:30 p.m. Officers later located a suspect who died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Daz said the gunfire broke out near the terminal's check-in area and that a juvenile with gunshot wounds was taken to a hospital.
KOLO reported that officers were working two separate scenes, one inside the terminal and another at a vehicle, as investigators combed through evidence through the afternoon. Authorities have not released the names of those involved or offered any indication of a possible motive.
Flights And Airport Response
The shooting shut down the airport to all traffic for several hours, and an online notice warned that flights were canceled or delayed, according to 2 News. Airport manager Jim Foster told local outlets only that a shooting had occurred at the terminal and urged travelers to confirm their flight status with airlines. KSL noted that a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Elko was pushed to the following morning.
Small Airport, Big Disruption
Elko Regional Airport (EKO) is a small, city-owned regional hub with limited scheduled service, so even a brief closure can ripple across northeastern Nevada, according to an airport profile from CAPA. City records show that airport management and emergency procedures have been recurring topics at council meetings, underscoring how central the terminal is to local travel and commerce, as noted in a City of Elko meeting packet. The airport is located at 975 Terminal Way in Elko.
Investigation Ongoing
Elko police have said there is no ongoing threat to the community and that the case remains under active investigation, according to KTNV. Officials are asking anyone with information to contact the Elko Police Department. Investigators have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspected gunman, and a motive has not been made public.
