On Friday night, a 49-year-old man was found dead in a parking lot at El Paso International Airport. The man was identified as an employee of Southwest Airlines, according to local reports.
The man, whose name has not been released, was fatally shot and left for dead, but police shared that they believe his death to be the result of an aggravated robbery, KFOX14 reported.
An investigation is still ongoing as police search for the suspect, or suspects as they shared it is possible more than one person was involved, KFOX14 reported.
The airport's aviation director, Sam Rodriguez, issued a statement saying that the airport was "shocked and saddened to hear about the tragic event."
"Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to the victim's family, Southwest Airlines, and all those impacted by the incident," Rodriguez added.
Related
A Southwest Airlines employee was hospitalized after a traveler assaulted them when boarding a Dallas-to-New York City flight earlier this month.
Airport incidents with unruly passengers have been on the rise as of late with 4,626 incidents reported by the FAA as of October. Several factors are said to play into the rise including mask policies being enforced.
Police are asking anyone with information on the homicide to contact investigators at 915-566-5477 or 915-832-4400.
