Man shot by police at Miami Airport prompting evacuations

An armed man has been shot by police at Miami International Airport as thousands rush to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irma.

The confrontation between the man and the Miami-Dade officer unfolded on Thursday night and forced the evacuation of the airport’s Terminal J.

The man was allegedly armed with a knife and had been trying to get onto the roof of the terminal, ABC Miami reports.

Witnesses said it appeared the man was drunk and acting erratically.

He was taken to the Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. His condition is not yet known. 

The terminal was immediately evacuated and shut down. 

Miami-Dade Police tweeted: ‘We can confirm a police involved shooting as a result of a security incident at @iflymia. The scene is secure and our PIO is on scene.’

They followed up shortly after confirming the scene had been secured.

The man was allegedly armed with a knife and had been trying to get onto the roof of the terminal when an officer opened fire

‘Regarding the police involved shooting at @iflymia – there is no further threat or danger to the public at this time. FDLE will investigate.’ 

The shooting occurred as the airport was busy accommodating travelers trying to evacuate Florida before the powerful category 5 hurricane is expected to hit at the weekend.   

Airline seats out of Florida are in short supply given the mandatory evacuation orders.

American, United and Delta all said Thursday that they were adding extra flights in the next few days.

The shooting occurred as the airport was busy accommodating travelers trying to evacuate Florida before the powerful category 5 hurricane is expected to hit at the weekend

Airline seats out of Florida are in short supply given the mandatory evacuation orders but airlines said they would add extra flights in the next few days