Atlanta airport given “all-clear” after firearm discharged at security checkpoint, officials say

Author: SOPHIE REARDON / CBS News
Published:
FILE – In this Jan. 30, 2017, file photo, a Delta Air Lines flight takes off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
The Transportation Security Administration said one of its officers was searching a passenger’s bag at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s main security checkpoint when the passenger, who had been told not to touch the bag, “lunged into the bag and grabbed a firearm, at which point it discharged.”

The passenger then ran out of an airport exit, the TSA said.

“This was not an active shooter event,” the agency said. “Local airport and TSA leadership made the decision to initiate a ground stop while Atlanta Police Department investigated the incident further.”

Three people reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, according to the agency.

Just before 3:30 p.m. ET, the airport tweeted it received the “all-clear” and “normal operations are beginning.” Departing flights had been under gate holds and experiencing delays of under 15 minutes, while arriving flights experienced similar delays, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Videos posted to Twitter appeared to show people lying on the ground at the airport — seemingly trying to take cover — with items of clothing and other personal items strewn across the floor. Other passengers appeared to have been evacuated, with videos showing people standing with their bags on the tarmac.

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