A passenger’s gun went off in an “accidental discharge” at the main security checkpoint of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Saturday afternoon when a security officer began a bag search.
The accidental discharge from a gun with a passenger happened at 1:30 p.m. Saturday caused chaos panic with scared passengers even running on the tarmac at the busy airport and prompting an investigation.
A TSA officer identified a prohibited item in a passenger’s bag by an X-Ray screening at the main checkpoint and began a bag search, the TSA said in a statement. As the officer opened the compartment containing the prohibited item, the passenger lunged into the bag and grabbed a firearm, at which point it discharged, the TSA said.
“The passenger then fled the area, running out of the airport,” the TSA said.
“As per early reports, three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, there may be more injuries that follow early reports. At this time, we do not have complete information,” the TSA said.
As per aviation analytics provider Official Airline Gude (OAG), Hartsfield-Jackson was the world’s busiest airport in 2021.
The incident took place when huge crowds of travelers were expected to be traveling in the Thanksgiving holiday season. pre-pandemic size crowds were expected at security checkpoints.
Airport officials said there was no active shooter at the airport.
Officials identified the suspect as 42-year-old Kenny Wells and said they are “actively pursuing this individual” at a press conference Saturday.
Police and other authorities are searching for the person.
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