Fort Worth

9/11 in Fort Worth: Star-Telegram photos show what happened on Sept. 11, 2001

Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel console each other and discuss the day’s events on Sept. 11, 2001, after the hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats which may have been connected to the terrorism at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel console each other and discuss the day’s events on Sept. 11, 2001, after the hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats which may have been connected to the terrorism at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Ron T. Ennis Star-Telegram archives

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, as the country watched in horror the terrorist attacks unfold on TV, the Star-Telegram’s photographers scrambled to document that dark day. 

These photos from around Fort Worth and Tarrrant County captured fear, disbelief and shock — as well as the chaos at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport — but also the faith, resiliency and generosity of North Texans. 

The security entrance at Terminal A at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport remained closed on Sept. 12, 2001. Every terminal was ordered searched by the FAA in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
The security entrance at Terminal A at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport remained closed on Sept. 12, 2001. Every terminal was ordered searched by the FAA in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. C. Somodevilla Fort Worth Star-Telegram
American Eagle employees Heather Carter, left, and Mary Vazquez comfort each other while returning to their workplace at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Every terminal was ordered searched by the FAA.
American Eagle employees Heather Carter, left, and Mary Vazquez comfort each other while returning to their workplace at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Every terminal was ordered searched by the FAA. C. Somodevilla Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Tarrant County court buildings are evacuated after a bomb threat the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Tarrant County court buildings are evacuated after a bomb threat the day after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Rodger Mallison Star-Telegram
Stephen Chambers, 20, of North Richland HIlls, who was on his way to donate blood on Sept. 11, 2001, said 'I just want to do whatever I can. I'm speechless and in shock.'
Stephen Chambers, 20, of North Richland HIlls, who was on his way to donate blood on Sept. 11, 2001, said 'I just want to do whatever I can. I'm speechless and in shock.' Carolyn Mary Bauman Star-Telegram
Around 8:10 am on Sept. 11, 2001, at UTA's University Center: Valerie Goodwin, Kent Rawlak, Austin Lane and Chris Fulton watch a broadcast of a commercial plane that crashed into the World Trade Center’s Tower 2. At the early time very few people were aware of the crash.
Around 8:10 am on Sept. 11, 2001, at UTA's University Center: Valerie Goodwin, Kent Rawlak, Austin Lane and Chris Fulton watch a broadcast of a commercial plane that crashed into the World Trade Center’s Tower 2. At the early time very few people were aware of the crash. Bobby Ornelas FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
Members of the First United Methodist Church in Grapevine assembled to pray and had a candle vigil for the victims of the terrorist attacks.
Members of the First United Methodist Church in Grapevine assembled to pray and had a candle vigil for the victims of the terrorist attacks. Khampha Bouaphanh Fort Worth Star-Telegram
American Airlines planes remain idle at Terminal C at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sept. 12, 2001. An FAA-enforced halt on all domestic commercial air traffic was still in place Wednesday afternoon in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
American Airlines planes remain idle at Terminal C at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sept. 12, 2001. An FAA-enforced halt on all domestic commercial air traffic was still in place Wednesday afternoon in the wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. C. Somodevilla Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Cleaning crews sit waiting outside DFW Airport's Terminal C while a security sweep was in progress inside on Sept. 12, 2001.
Cleaning crews sit waiting outside DFW Airport's Terminal C while a security sweep was in progress inside on Sept. 12, 2001. Ian McVea Star-Telegram
Russell Ward of Richland Hills waves a flag on Airport Freeway in Hurst on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Ward bought the flag that morning and said that he was going to wave it until he felt better. Hurst police arrived and asked the man to leave.
Russell Ward of Richland Hills waves a flag on Airport Freeway in Hurst on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Ward bought the flag that morning and said that he was going to wave it until he felt better. Hurst police arrived and asked the man to leave. Richard Rodriguez Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Stunned passengers at DFW International Airport’s Terminal A watch television at a store. Televisions in the terminal were turned off, and passengers were not told of the morning’s events while in flight. Passengers crowded the bars and stores with TV sets to learn more.
Stunned passengers at DFW International Airport’s Terminal A watch television at a store. Televisions in the terminal were turned off, and passengers were not told of the morning’s events while in flight. Passengers crowded the bars and stores with TV sets to learn more. Ian McVea Star-Telegram
Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel console each other and discuss the day’s events on Sept. 11, 2001 after the hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats which may have been connected to the terrorism at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel console each other and discuss the day’s events on Sept. 11, 2001 after the hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats which may have been connected to the terrorism at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Ron T. Ennis Star-Telegram archives
Sandra Johnston of Fort Worth kisses her 3-month-old granddaughter, Lainee Steudeman, held by her daughter Rachel Barley of Azle, while they waited to donate blood at Carter Bloodcare in Bedford after Sept. 11.
Sandra Johnston of Fort Worth kisses her 3-month-old granddaughter, Lainee Steudeman, held by her daughter Rachel Barley of Azle, while they waited to donate blood at Carter Bloodcare in Bedford after Sept. 11. KELLEY CHINN Star-Telegram
On a lone TV in UTA’s Hereford Center, Martina Santesteban, Kerri Cornell and David Hudspeth watch a broadcast of terrorist attacks on the morning of Sept. 11.
On a lone TV in UTA’s Hereford Center, Martina Santesteban, Kerri Cornell and David Hudspeth watch a broadcast of terrorist attacks on the morning of Sept. 11. Bobby Ornelas FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
Fort Worth police secure a perimeter around the Radisson Hotel in downtown after it received a bomb threat on Sept. 11, 2001.
Fort Worth police secure a perimeter around the Radisson Hotel in downtown after it received a bomb threat on Sept. 11, 2001. Ron T. Ennis FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Members of the Wedgwood Baptist Church break up into small prayer groups during a prayer service on Sept. 12, 2001.
Members of the Wedgwood Baptist Church break up into small prayer groups during a prayer service on Sept. 12, 2001. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram
Mike Stewart of the Fort Worth aviation department lays traffic cones as his department and the Fort Worth Police Department begin to secure the perimeter of Meacham Airport on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Mike Stewart of the Fort Worth aviation department lays traffic cones as his department and the Fort Worth Police Department begin to secure the perimeter of Meacham Airport on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Stranded passengers outside DFW International Airport’s Terminal C, watch a television set up by a news crew to keep up with developments after a terrorist attack on the United States.
Stranded passengers outside DFW International Airport’s Terminal C, watch a television set up by a news crew to keep up with developments after a terrorist attack on the United States. Rodger Mallison Star-Telegram
A large American flag is draped over the wall of the River Oaks Fire Department on Sept. 11, 2001. Firefighters decided to display the flag late Tuesday morning after the attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. A firefighter said the flag is in support of all the victims. River Oaks lost two firefighters in 1999 in a Lake Worth church blaze. The stone in the foreground is part of memorial to those firefighters and to another that was killed in 1964.
A large American flag is draped over the wall of the River Oaks Fire Department on Sept. 11, 2001. Firefighters decided to display the flag late Tuesday morning after the attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. A firefighter said the flag is in support of all the victims. River Oaks lost two firefighters in 1999 in a Lake Worth church blaze. The stone in the foreground is part of memorial to those firefighters and to another that was killed in 1964. Rodger Mallison Star-Telegram
IDs are checked at the gate of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, under a security alert on Sept. 11.
IDs are checked at the gate of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, under a security alert on Sept. 11. Carolyn Mary Bauman Star-Telegram
Madeleine Flanagan of Dallas sits and thinks while Teresa Bullard of California is comforted by her boyfriend Chris Johnston as they wait to give blood outside Reunion Arena on Sept. 11.
Madeleine Flanagan of Dallas sits and thinks while Teresa Bullard of California is comforted by her boyfriend Chris Johnston as they wait to give blood outside Reunion Arena on Sept. 11. Sharon M. Steinman Fort Worth Star-Telegram
DFW officer Derek Goodley walks his explosive-­sniffing dog through Terminal A on Sept. 11.
DFW officer Derek Goodley walks his explosive-­sniffing dog through Terminal A on Sept. 11. Ian McVea Star-Telegram
Members of First United Methodist Church in Grapevine.
Members of First United Methodist Church in Grapevine. Khampha Bouaphanh Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Drivers wait as long a 45 minutes to get gas at the Exxon at the 7000 block of South Freeway in Fort Worth after hearing reports about price increases.
Drivers wait as long a 45 minutes to get gas at the Exxon at the 7000 block of South Freeway in Fort Worth after hearing reports about price increases. Jeffery Washington Star-Telegram
Off-duty American Airlines flight attendants Victoria Jay and Debra Lee Swancy returning home on Flight 157 at DFW airport from LaGuardia in New York, learn the news of the fallen towers. Passengers in the air were not told exactly what happened until they were exiting the plane
Off-duty American Airlines flight attendants Victoria Jay and Debra Lee Swancy returning home on Flight 157 at DFW airport from LaGuardia in New York, learn the news of the fallen towers. Passengers in the air were not told exactly what happened until they were exiting the plane M.L. GRAY Star-Telegram
American Airlines Flight 157 passengers arriving at DFW from LaGuardia in New York break into tears after hearing the news of the destroyed towers on Sept. 11.
American Airlines Flight 157 passengers arriving at DFW from LaGuardia in New York break into tears after hearing the news of the destroyed towers on Sept. 11. M.L. GRAY Star-Telegram
Members of First United Methodist Church in Grapevine assembled to pray for the victims on Sept. 12, 2001.
Members of First United Methodist Church in Grapevine assembled to pray for the victims on Sept. 12, 2001. Khampha Bouaphanh Fort Worth Star-Telegram
UTA’s Rick Underbrink and Jessica Harris watch in silence the broadcast of a commercial plane that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
UTA’s Rick Underbrink and Jessica Harris watch in silence the broadcast of a commercial plane that crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Bobby Ornelas FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
Departure screens at DFW International Airport on Sept. 11, 2001.
Departure screens at DFW International Airport on Sept. 11, 2001. M.L. GRAY FWST
Keenan Williams, 30, left, prays with Alicia Johnson, right, during a prayer vigil at Rising Star Baptist Church in Fort Worth in memory of the many people affected by the terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Sept. 11, 2001.
Keenan Williams, 30, left, prays with Alicia Johnson, right, during a prayer vigil at Rising Star Baptist Church in Fort Worth in memory of the many people affected by the terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Sept. 11, 2001. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram
Flags lowered outside American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth on Sept. 11.
Flags lowered outside American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth on Sept. 11. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram
Sunday school teacher Sandra Powell in prayer at Rising Star Baptist Church in Fort Worth on Sept. 11.
Sunday school teacher Sandra Powell in prayer at Rising Star Baptist Church in Fort Worth on Sept. 11. Alison Woodworth Star-Telegram
FBI Special Agent in Charge Danny A Defenbaugh talks to the media at FBI Headquarters in Dallas on Sept. 11, 2001.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Danny A Defenbaugh talks to the media at FBI Headquarters in Dallas on Sept. 11, 2001. Sharon M. Steinman Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Asma Khan, left, and Karen Meek of the Islamic Association of Lewisville and Flowermound pray during an Interfaith Service of Prayer on Sept. 11, 2001, at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound.
Asma Khan, left, and Karen Meek of the Islamic Association of Lewisville and Flowermound pray during an Interfaith Service of Prayer on Sept. 11, 2001, at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound. Jen Friedberg Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jim Crites, left, executive vice president for security and operations at DFW International Airport, takes questions at a press conference on the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001. He is with Kevin Cox, senior executive vice president at DFW.
Jim Crites, left, executive vice president for security and operations at DFW International Airport, takes questions at a press conference on the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001. He is with Kevin Cox, senior executive vice president at DFW. Stewart F. House FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Flags line Southlake Boulevard at Southlake Town Square after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11.
Flags line Southlake Boulevard at Southlake Town Square after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11. Khampha Bouaphanh Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Samantha Ferrie tries to rent a car to continue her trip from Austin to Charlotte, North Carolina, after being grounded at DFW on Sept. 11, 2001
Samantha Ferrie tries to rent a car to continue her trip from Austin to Charlotte, North Carolina, after being grounded at DFW on Sept. 11, 2001 Rodger Mallison Star-Telegram
Fannin Farm neighborhood lined with flags in South Arlington on Sept. 12, 2001.
Fannin Farm neighborhood lined with flags in South Arlington on Sept. 12, 2001. Bobby Ornelas FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
Fort Worth Aviation security supervisor Dennis Rotzoll, right, helps direct Fort Worth police to secure the perimeter of Meacham International Airport on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
Fort Worth Aviation security supervisor Dennis Rotzoll, right, helps direct Fort Worth police to secure the perimeter of Meacham International Airport on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel seek shelter in the shade of the Fort Worth Convention Center in downtown Fort Worth on Sept. 11, 2001. The hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon.
Guests and employees from the Radisson Hotel seek shelter in the shade of the Fort Worth Convention Center in downtown Fort Worth on Sept. 11, 2001. The hotel was evacuated due to bomb threats after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon. Ron T. Ennis FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Tina Visor, a junior at the Shannon Learning Center in Haltom City, signs a note with the other students and faculty on a banner the reads, ‘You can take our lives but you cannot take our freedom’. The banner was supposed to be delivered to American Airlines on Sept. 12, 2001.
Tina Visor, a junior at the Shannon Learning Center in Haltom City, signs a note with the other students and faculty on a banner the reads, ‘You can take our lives but you cannot take our freedom’. The banner was supposed to be delivered to American Airlines on Sept. 12, 2001. M.L. GRAY
Fort Worth firefighters Frank Becerra, left, and Scott Streater install a flag atop Engine 5 on Sept. 12, 2001, in honor of their fallen brothers and sisters in the FDNY.
Fort Worth firefighters Frank Becerra, left, and Scott Streater install a flag atop Engine 5 on Sept. 12, 2001, in honor of their fallen brothers and sisters in the FDNY. Glen E. Ellman Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Windmill Terrace Apartment employees Mark Rigsby of Fort Worth and Apryl Beaty of Arlington tie yellow ribbons to antennas of passing motorists on Murphy Road in Bedford on Sept. 12, 2001.
Windmill Terrace Apartment employees Mark Rigsby of Fort Worth and Apryl Beaty of Arlington tie yellow ribbons to antennas of passing motorists on Murphy Road in Bedford on Sept. 12, 2001. Mark Rogers Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Sixth-graders from Austin Elementary in Weatherford in a moment of silence for the terrorism victims and families followed by the National Anthem before a volleyball game on Sept. 12, 2001.
Sixth-graders from Austin Elementary in Weatherford in a moment of silence for the terrorism victims and families followed by the National Anthem before a volleyball game on Sept. 12, 2001. Joyce Marshall Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Bill Williams, the owner of Tool Company in Fort Worth, stands in the front of his store where he has placed signs to show how he feels about terrorist events in Washington D.C and New York.
Bill Williams, the owner of Tool Company in Fort Worth, stands in the front of his store where he has placed signs to show how he feels about terrorist events in Washington D.C and New York. Jeffery Washington FWST
Linda Gossett, left, of Aledo, and David McGhee of Fort Worth give blood as Amy Kadleck of the Carter Blood Bank assists at their Park Place and Forest Park location in Fort Worth on Sept. 11, 2001.
Linda Gossett, left, of Aledo, and David McGhee of Fort Worth give blood as Amy Kadleck of the Carter Blood Bank assists at their Park Place and Forest Park location in Fort Worth on Sept. 11, 2001. Ron T. Ennis FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
Carol Harris is comforted by her daughter, Alison Harris, as they wait to donate blood at Reunion Arena in Dallas on Sept. 11, 2001. They had friends who lived in New York.
Carol Harris is comforted by her daughter, Alison Harris, as they wait to donate blood at Reunion Arena in Dallas on Sept. 11, 2001. They had friends who lived in New York. Sharon M. Steinman Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001
Fort Worth on the evening of Sept. 11, 2001 Ron Jenkins Star-Telegram

This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 11:48 AM.

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Matt Leclercq
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Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.
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