Police are hunting a convicted felon who fled Atlanta’s international airport after his gun accidentally discharged during a security search and sparked panic, IgbereTV reports.
The incident on Saturday sent dozens of passengers scurrying for cover and resulted in three injuries, none of which were caused by the discharge.
“We are actively pursuing this individual,” Atlanta Police’s Major Reginald Moorman said in a press conference after identifying the suspect as 42-year-old Kenny Wells.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said the incident occurred after a “prohibited item” was identified inside a passenger’s baggage by an X-Ray machine.
As a security officer opened the compartment containing the item, “the passenger lunged into the bag and grabbed a firearm, at which point it discharged.”
“The passenger then fled the area, running out of the airport exit,” the TSA said, adding that the officer had told the passenger not to touch the item.
One person was injured in a fall in the ensuing panic and two others complained of shortness of breath, police said.
Shortly after the incident at around 1:30 pm (1830 GMT), the airport said on Twitter that there was no active shooter, and “there is no danger to passengers or employees.”
Police gave the all-clear just before 3:00 pm.
