Atlanta police were called after a man fired a single shot at the property search TSO at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s (ATL) Main Checkpoint.
The Transportation Security Administration reported that at about 2:30 on Saturday there was a bag search after the X-Ray indicated a prohibited item.
The passenger was advised he should not touch his property, however, when the compartment where his firearm was held was hoped he lunged at it, grabbed the weapon, and discharged it.
Kenny Wells, 42, fled the scene and ran out of an airport exit, where he was later apprehended by the Atlanta Police Department who are investigating further.
TSA was clear that the incident was not an active shooter situation, and the all-clear was issued at 3:20 PM at which point the security officers began to again screen passengers.
Wells was identified by the Atlanta Police Department who also reported that three people asked for medical assistance for non-life-threatening injuries they sustained in conjunction with the incident.
For their part, TSA used their report to offer a reminder of what is and is not permitted during air travel at this point, saying that at the Atlanta airport, more than 450 firearms have been found in 2021 alone.
“Firearms, particularly loaded firearms, introduce an unnecessary risk at checkpoints, have no place in the passenger cabin of an airplane, and represent a very costly mistake for the passengers who attempt to board a flight with them,” TSA said in their press release.
“When passengers bring firearms to airport checkpoints, TSA will assess a civil penalty that varies by number [sic]of previous offenses and whether the firearm was loaded at the time.
“The complete list of penalties is posted on TSA.gov. TSA PreCheck® members caught with a firearm at a TSA checkpoint may lose their expedited screening privileges for three years or more.
“Passengers may travel with firearms in checked baggage when they are unloaded and packed in a locked, hard-sided case.
“The passenger must declare and present the case with the firearm at the airline check-in counter and inform the airline representative of their intention to travel with the firearms.
“Firearms are transported with checked baggage and are placed in the cargo hold of the aircraft. Visit the TSA website for details on how to properly travel with a firearm.“
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