Kennewick Woman Charged With Attempted Murder in PDX Shooting

A Kennewick woman is in jail accused of firing shots at Portland International Airport.

47-year old Laura Marie Patterson made her first court appearance on Thursday. She pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and unlawful use of a weapon.

The Port of Portland Police say just after 11 pm on Tuesday Patterson exited a restroom near the TSA checkpoint and fired her gun into the air near gates D and E. This prompted evacuations which shut down security screenings. Airport employees, passengers, and construction workers ran to take cover. Some passengers rushed back onto planes that had just landed. No one was injured in the shooting.

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Court documents say Patterson told Police she wanted to kill her family.

Patterson told Police she went to the airport to shoot her gun but not hurt anyone. She told officers she was aiming for the ceiling. Patterson drove from her home in Kennewick because she wanted to kill family members in Houston because they covered up pedophilia and sexual abuse within the family. Those family members include her mother, sister, aunt and uncle who reside in Texas. Patterson also said she thought about killing a second cousin. A search of Patterson's bags turned up two boxes of ammunition with 100 rounds and expired drivers licenses belonging to her.

Investigators are seeking more information from anyone who may know what happened. Anyone who has information can call 503-460-4221 or go here.

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