Flights briefly halted after unintentional gun discharge at Atlanta airport, no accidents reported

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 mentioned on Twitter there was not an lively shooter or any ongoing hazard to passengers or staff. A spokesman with the Atlanta Police Division instructed NBC Information no accidents have 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 obtainable.

Atlanta airport spokesman Andrew Gobeil instructed CNN {that a} passenger was found to be carrying a gun on the safety checkpoint.

Officers observed the gun and when both an officer or the unnamed passenger went to get the weapon, it by chance discharged. The passenger then left the airport.

Gobeil mentioned officers know who the passenger is.

“They will exit and they’ll query him and detain him shortly,” he instructed the information outlet.

Varied information retailers reported that witnesses mentioned panic ensued within the airport’s home terminal. NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta reported passengers acquired 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 mentioned it expects to display screen about 20 million folks between Nov. 19 and Nov. 28, virtually again to 2019 ranges. 

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