A 31-year-old man, Francisco Ivan Mendiola, has been charged after four shots were fired near a terminal at Miami International Airport on Wednesday, September 23. The incident triggered a major law enforcement response but officials said there was no active shooter threat and no injuries were reported.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the airport at around 4:05 pm following reports of gunfire. Authorities later confirmed that passengers and airport employees were safe and that the incident appeared to be isolated.
According to the affidavit, Mendiola allegedly fired four rounds near the airport terminal. Three of the shots were directed towards the terminal area and struck a trash can, while another bullet hit an unoccupied Dodge Challenger.
Authorities said passengers nearby quickly alerted law enforcement officers and pointed them towards the suspected shooter. Mendiola was later located on the second floor of the airport's short-term parking garage.
One deputy reportedly saw him holding a firearm and loading a magazine. Officers later took him into custody while he was sitting on a bench in the parking area. A firearm was allegedly found inside his backpack, while four spent shell casings were recovered near the area where he was located.
According to investigators, the firearm had two magazines, each capable of holding 16 rounds. Both magazines reportedly contained 12 rounds at the time they were recovered.
Mendiola faces one felony charge of shooting or throwing a deadly missile. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for unlawfully discharging a firearm in a public place and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief.
Authorities said Mendiola appeared to be intoxicated and was behaving aggressively following the incident. His condition and behaviour reportedly prevented investigators from conducting an immediate interview.
The shooting caused alarm among passengers and people waiting outside the terminal, although airport operations continued. Witnesses described hearing several loud gunshots and seeing people react quickly as authorities moved into the area.
A tourist travelling with his family told local media that he initially heard a loud sound and realised it was gunfire rather than a vehicle-related noise. Another traveller, who was waiting for an Uber, said she heard three shots and later expressed relief that no one around her was injured.
The incident remains under investigation, and authorities are working to establish what led to the shooting and determine the full circumstances surrounding Mendiola's actions.
Officials have stressed that there was no continuing threat to the airport after the suspect was taken into custody. The charges filed against Mendiola are allegations, and the case will proceed through the legal system.
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