Family of LAX Shooter: ‘Shocked and Numbed’

The Pennsville, N.J. family spoke for the first time through an attorney on Monday

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Geoff Mulvihill / AP

Lawyer John Jordan gives a statement on behalf of the father and siblings of Paul Ciancia on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, in Pennsville, N.J.

The family of the man authorities have deemed responsible for last Friday’s shooting at Los Angeles International airport, which killed one TSA agent and wounded three other people, has expressed sympathy for the deceased.

“We, like most Americans, are shocked and numbed by the tragic events of last Friday,” said John Jordan, the attorney for the family of alleged shooter, Paul Ciancia, 23.

Speaking from Pennsville, N.J., where Ciancia grew up, the family attorney added, “Paul is our son and brother.” He added, “we will continue to love him and care for him and support him during the difficult times ahead.”

Ciancia, who was wounded in a shootout with airport security on Nov. 1, allegedly shot his way through a security checkpoint, yielding a .223 caliber rifle. One Transportation Security Officer, who was later identified as Gerardo I. Hernandez, was killed in the incident. He is, reportedly, the first TSA officer to die on the job. Ciancia, who is at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, has been charged with the murder of a federal officer and commission of violence in an international airport. If convicted, Ciancia could face the death penalty.

Monday’s press conference marks the first time the Ciancia’s family has spoken publicly, in light of the events they’ve requested privacy.

[AP]