New Orleans TSA agents attacked by machete-wielding man

© Reuters / Jonathan Bachman

A man allegedly used a can of wasp spray against a TSA agent in New Orleans before pulling out a machete and stabbing another agent at the Louis Armstrong International Airport near New Orleans, Louisiana, according to local media.

Police are currently investigating the incident and officials said the airport has now been secured. It appears that two Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents were injured in an attack at a security checkpoint and that the man responsible for the violence has been killed. The assailant has been transported to a hospital but is not responding, WVUE reported.

The conditions of the TSA agents have not been confirmed.

According to images and accounts from the scene posted on social media, a TSA agent was stabbed by the attacker. Photographs show a cold weapon on the ground that looks like a machete.

"There was a security incident in the area near concourse B of the airport terminal The site has been secured. We will release further information as it comes available," Airport spokeswoman Michelle Wilcut said in an email to News.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand told that a man identified as Richard White was responsible for the violence. He allegedly used a can of wasp spray on a TSA agent who confronted him at a checkpoint, then took out a machete and struck another agent.

Police then shot the man responsible in the face and the chest, he said.

An image from Twitter reportedly shows one agent being treated.

In a statement, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said the situation "is under control and the airport is secure."

"There is no threat to the public at this time, and the airport is returning to normal operations. We expect Concourse B - where the incident occurred - to fully reopen tomorrow."

There was a security incident near concourse B of the airport The site has been secured We will release more info as it comes available

— New Orleans Airport (@NO_Airport) March 21, 2015