TSA Finds Loaded Handgun In Carry On, Owner Lunges To Grab It, Discharges Round, And Then Runs Off

ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Police are searching for a man who say say caused panic inside the Atlanta airport on Saturday afternoon when he had a negligent discharge of a handgun. How it happened is bizarre, and I think even more bizarre that he wasn’t taken into custody.

Robert Spinden, Transportation Security Administration federal security director for Georgia, said at a news conference that a prohibited item was detected by an X-ray at the main security checkpoint. A passenger lunged into a bag to pull out a firearm when a second search was planned, and the weapon accidentally discharged.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, managed to get away –with the gun– and has yet to be found. Wells is wanted on arrest warrants for carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharge of a firearm, and reckless conduct.

A temporary ground stop was placed, with passengers unsure of what was going on. Reports of an active shooter were circulating, but the all-clear was given a few hours later.

The airport never closed throughout the ordeal. Passengers were re-screened out of extra precaution.

There is not an active shooter. There was an accidental discharge at the Airport. There is no danger to passengers or employees. An investigation is ongoing, more information will be published on this channel.

— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) November 20, 2021

TSA reported that 3 people were injured, but it wasn’t clear how their injuries came about.