CLEVELAND – Police responded to the Riveredge Parking Lot, a remote employee parking lot of the Cleveland Hopkins Airport, at around 11:28 Sunday morning after several shots were heard coming from within the lot.
Sergeant Sammy Morris of the Cleveland Police Department confirmed they are investigating a murder/suicide that involves a husband and wife, who are now both dead.
The suspect has been identified by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office as 28-year-old Ahmad Alkahder.
The female victim is believed to be a 20-year-old woman, according to Morris.
The Sgt. said the female victim, a TSA employee, was riding to work with another TSA employee (male) when Alkahder, her estranged husband, followed them into the parking lot, rammed their vehicle and fired approximately five shots into the vehicle.
Morris said the male was able to get out of the vehicle and was chased by Alkahder, who fired several shots. Then, Morris said, Alkahder turned the gun on himself and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The male TSA agent chased and shot at was not hit, according to Morris.
Alkahder was found dead in the parking lot and the Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled his death a suicide.
Airport officials said EMS units rushed the female victim to MetroHealth Medical Center, where she died from her injuries.
Police are now investigating if there is known domestic violence history between the two. Morris said they are also investigating information that a spouse may have recently received divorce papers.
Jacqueline L. Mayo, Communications Manager for the Cleveland Airport System, released a statement saying, “… We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families.”
The TSA also issued the following statement:
“TSA has lost a member of its family today to a fatal shooting at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Our employee, whose name is being temporarily withheld, had worked for the TSA since 2011 as a baggage officer. She was fatally shot at the airport in what the police are calling a domestic dispute. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends and fellow employees during this painful time.”
Morris said police are now working to notify next of kin.
