The suspect in the Friday morning shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport has been named by the FBI as Paul Anthony Ciancia, 23, a Los Angeles resident.

He was wounded by police and detained.

A federal security agent was killed and several other people wounded in the shooting.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said three of its staff had been injured, one fatally. One of the injured is listed in the hospital in a critical condition, while two other victims are reported to be in fair condition.

Some 746 flights nationwide were affected and 46 were diverted because of the incident, said airport officials. LAX is the third largest airport in the US.

LA Airport police chief Patrick Gannon told reporters a "lone shooter" came into Terminal 3 at 9:20 local time.

The suspect "pulled an assault rifle out of a bag and began to open fire in the terminal" inside the nation's third largest airport, he said, cited by the BBC.

He then allegedly went to a security screening area and continued shooting.

It was the first time a TSA officer, named as Gerardo Hernandez, 39, was killed in the line of duty, according to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

US media report that the alleged gunman approached potential victims asking if they worked for the TSA, and spared them if they said no.

He pushed through screening gates and walked more than 100 yards (90m) into the secure area of the terminal, where law enforcement officers caught up with him in a food court.

Eyewitnesses and LAX police report huge chaos with people running, ducking, and pancaking down on the ground.

A number of people were reportedly injured while fleeing the scene.

According to US media, cited by the BBC, the suspect was carrying a note that expressed anti-government views.

Little is known about the Ciancia, except his family in New Jersey telling police they had received a text message from him saying he planned suicide.

Two roommates told Los Angeles police they had seen Ciancia the day before and he had appeared fine.

Terminal 3 remains closed as the investigation continues.

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