Alleged LAX Gunman Spoke of Suicide Before Shooting

The 23-year-old New Jersey native said to have strong anti-government feelings is accused of killing a Transportation Security Agency worker inside an LAX terminal

New details emerged Friday evening about the alleged gunman who opened fire inside Los Angeles International Airport, spraying a terminal with bullets and killing an airport security worker.

Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, of Los Angeles, has been arrested in connection with the tragic attack, said David Bowdich, FBI special agent in charge.

A native of New Jersey, Ciancia allegedly was armed with "hundreds of rounds" of ammunition when shots rang out inside the airport.

"There were more than 100 more rounds that could've literally killed everybody in that terminal today," Mayor Garcetti said at an afternoon news conference, lauding law enforcement's response that he said saved many lives.

More: Full Coverage | Timeline | Victim Was "Very Proud" Father | What Travelers Needs to Know

Ciancia was wounded and captured after a shootout with police, investigators said. A motive for the attack has not been released.

Witnesses said the suspect was wearing all blue during the attack, causing some confusion that perhaps the gunman worked for the TSA. NBC4 has confirmed that Ciancia has never worked for the federal agency created after the Sept. 11 terror attacks with the intent of boosting airport security.

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Sources told NBC News the 23-year-old sent his brother in New Jersey a text message Friday morning saying he was thinking about taking his own life.

Ciancia’s family alerted authorities in the suspect's native Pennsville, N.J., who in turn asked Los Angeles police to perform a welfare check at the suspect’s Los Feliz apartment.

That happened about 10 a.m. PT, about half an hour after the deadly shooting happened.

When LAPD arrived at Ciancia’s apartment, the 23-year-old was not home but his roommate said he did not seem abnormal.

Ciancia's former roommate said the suspect never showed an interest in weapons or showed signs of "anger issues."

"It just doesn't make sense," James Mincey said. "He wasn't violent. To me, he didn't have a violent bone in his body."

A bag that Ciancia allegedly used to carry a rifle into the terminal was found containing notes that reportedly expressed anti-government views.

Friday’s shooting killed a TSA agent – described by a friend as a husband and father – and injured several others. Two other airport security officers were hurt and several other people suffered “evasion injuries” – or injuries suffered while running away from the danger.

NBC4's Robert Kovacik contributed to this report.

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