LAX shooting suspect's roommate gave him ride to airport

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The roommate of a man accused of killing a federal agent at Los Angeles International Airport drove the suspect there after an abrupt request, police said.

A roommate of Paul Anthony Ciancia told investigators Cinacia entered his bedroom unannounced Friday and asked for a ride to LAX. Ciancia didn't say why he needed to go to the airport but the roommate agreed and drove him there.

The roommate said in an affidavit he dropped Ciancia off at the Virgin Airlines terminal, drove off, and did not hear about the shootings until he returned home, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Ciancia is charged with shooting and killing Transportation Security Administration agent Gerardo Hernandez, 39, and wounding several others during the rampage before LAPD officers arrived and shot him.

Cinacia's family released a statement Monday expressing their shock at the event.

"We, like most Americans, are shocked and numbed by the tragic events," the family said, adding they have "fully cooperated with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies."

Ciancia moved to Los Angeles from New Jersey 18 months ago and a family friend, Allen J. Cummings, the police chief in Pennsville Township, N.J., said no one understands why Ciancia, who was found in possession of a rambling note about the "new world order" and his desire to kill TSA agents, turned violent.

"We don't really know what happened out west," Cummings said. "We don't know where he got his ideas or where that came from."