Flight attendants sporting protecting masks stroll by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs
An unintentional gun discharge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport’s safety screening space on Saturday afternoon led to all departing flights being briefly halted.
The airport stated on Twitter there was not an lively shooter or any ongoing hazard to passengers or workers. A spokesman with the Atlanta Police Division informed NBC News no accidents had been reported.
“Officers have given an all-clear for #ATLAirport and regular operations are starting,” airport officers tweeted. Particulars in regards to the incident haven’t been made accessible.
Atlanta airport spokesman Andrew Gobeil informed CNN {that a} passenger was found to be carrying a gun on the safety checkpoint.
Officers seen the gun and when both an officer or the unnamed passenger went to get the weapon, it by accident discharged. The passenger then left the airport.
Gobeil stated officers know who the passenger is.
“They will exit and they’re going to query him and detain him shortly,” he informed the information outlet.
Numerous information retailers reported that witnesses stated panic ensued within the airport’s home terminal. NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta reported passengers received off planes to attend on the tarmac and across the terminals.
The incident occurred simply as what’s anticipated to be a busy vacation journey season will get underway. The Transportation Safety Administration stated it expects to display about 20 million folks between Nov. 19 and Nov. 28, virtually again to 2019 ranges.
