Atlanta airport 'active shooter' latest – Lockdown lifted after Hartfield-Jackson says someone 'accidentally shot' gun

THE lockdown at Hartfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta was lifted on Saturday after someone "accidentally discharged a gun."

Reports of an active shooting in Atlanta airport spread across Twitter Saturday afternoon, as pedestrians heard gunshots at Hartfield-Jackson Airport.

Reports of shots fired and people lying on the floor are being investigated.

The airport has confirmed that there was not an active shooter, but an "accidental discharge" at the airport.

Investigation of the incident is still ongoing, and officials have not yet confirmed if anyone is in custody, or if a suspect in the matter has been identified.

Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…

  • Jennifer Korn

    NEW REPORT:PASSENGER 'LUNGED INTO BAG'

    It was reported that the passenger lunged into their bag as it was about to be checked, and fled the scene after the gun fired.

    Three people were reportedly injured.

  • Jennifer Korn

    LOADED GUNS CONFISCATED

    One twitter user ranted about how they can't bring a full sized bottle of conditioner on an airplane, yet others are allegedly trying to board planes with loaded guns.

  • Jennifer Korn

    DO AUTHORITIES HAVE THE GUN?

    It has been reported that both, the individual who was allegedly carrying the gun, and the gun itself, are both missing.

    Authorities reportedly know who the person is, but have yet to apprehend them.

  • Jennifer Korn

    REFERENCING KYLE RITTENHOUSE

    Some who are frustrated with the incident at Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, who are also frustrated with the Kyle Rittenhouse case, have taken to social media to draw lines between the two separate situations.

  • Jennifer Korn

    'WE HEARD SCREAMS AS PEOPLE WERE BOARDING'

    One twitter user shared their experience earlier at the Atlanta airport.

    "Delta is trying to calm people down," said Dianne Callahan. "We heard screams as people were boarding."

  • Jennifer Korn

    CALLS TO CHARGE

    With many in the airport terrorized by what they thought was an active shooter event, some are calling for the individual who carried the gun to be arrested and charged.

  • Jennifer Korn

    'SOMEONE RECOGNIZED THERE WAS A WEAPON IN HIS BAG'

    Atlanta airport's comms director told CNN that a passenger “was in the middle of screening checkpoints when someone recognized there was a weapon in his bag."

    "When either the officer went in or when the passenger when in to get it, it [unintentionally] discharged.”

    The individual in question then reportedly “took off and was able to make it outside of the airport.”

    Police reportedly know who he is, but he has not yet been apprehended.

  • Jennifer Korn

    POLICE IDENTIFY PASSENGER BEING SOUGHT

    Police are on the hunt for Kenny Wells, 42.

    They are charging him with carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

  • Jennifer Korn

    'IRRESPONSIBLE'

    With the news today of the accidental gun discharge at Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta airport, some are calling out the US for its position on guns.

    In Georgia, it is legal for gun owners with carry licenses to carry their firearms in most public locations, including airports. However, it is illegal for guns be brought through security checkpoints at airports in the state.

  • Jennifer Korn

    PERSON WHO DISCHARGED GUN NOT IN CUSTODY

    Some are frustrated that authorities have not yet apprehended the individual who allegedly accidentally fired a gun at the Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta airport earlier today.

  • Jennifer Korn

    WHAT IS THE GUNS EVERYWHERE LAW? CONTINUED

    Technically, it is perfectly legal for a person with a carrying license to enter an airport with a gun. However, it is illegal to go past security checkpoints with gun.

    In 2015, a man carried a fully loaded AR-15 into the Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport to test the new law, and it was deemed legal.

    The areas in Georgia airports where it is legal to carry guns are the main lobby and walkway, shops in the terminal, and the parking lot.

    One law firm in Georgia offers representation for anyone who may have gotten in trouble for legally carrying a gun at an airport.

  • Jennifer Korn

    WHAT IS THE GUNS EVERYWHERE LAW?

    In 2014, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal enacted the Safe Carry Protection Act.

    With the law in place, gun owners with carry licenses are able to bring their guns into many more places, including school zones, airports, and some government buildings.

  • Jennifer Korn

    'GET DOWN!'

    In footage of the ordeal this afternoon at Hartfield-Jackson airport, people can be heard shouting, "Get down!" as there was believed to be an active shooter.

  • H. J. Hayes

    TRAVELERS ABANDONED BAGS, BELONGINGS IN EVACUATION RUSH

    A Twitter user posted from inside Hartfield-Jackson, showing the belongings passengers left behind in the rush to evacuate the Atlanta airport.

    Suitcases, electronics, food and even an overturned wheelchair are visible in the video of what one Twitter user called a "ghost town."

  • H. J. Hayes

    ATLANTA POLICE RESPONDED TO THE INCIDENT

    “At approximately 1:30 pm today a weapon accidentally discharged at ATL’s security screening area,” the airport announced on Twitter.

    “There is NOT an active shooter at the airport. APD is on the scene. More information about the situation will be made available on our social media channels.”

  • H. J. Hayes

    ATLANTA AIRPORT EMPLOYEE REPORTEDLY HELPED PASSENGERS

    A Twitter user named Stephanie Withers thanked an employee at Hartfield-Jackson who reportedly helped ferry her to safety during the chaos.

    "Atlanta airport employee Shantoria deserves a *major* raise for letting my husband and I jump in her car and driving us to safety amid total (what we thought was) active shooter chaos," she wrote.

    "Hundreds of panicked people screaming and running. Thank you, Shantoria."

  • H. J. Hayes

    WHERE WAS THE INCIDENT AT HARTFIELD-JACKSON?

    According to Twitter users, the reports of a potential shooter were concentrated at the domestic terminal.

    Several Twitter users also made reference to the Delta Airlines gates, but it’s unconfirmed where the accidental discharge actually took place.

  • H. J. Hayes

    WHAT HAPPENED AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT?

    Chaos erupted at an Atlanta airport on Saturday amid reports of an “active shooter” in the terminal.

    Fears of an active shooter prompted panic and fleeing, leaving people lying on the floor at Hartfield-Jackson airport.

  • H. J. Hayes

    CONFUSION AT AIRPORT CAUSED CHAOS FOR TRAVELERS

    Video footage posted to Twitter shows people laying on the floor amidst screams of "Get down" in the background.

    "I was evacuated from the Atlanta airport a few minutes ago because of an apparent active shooter situation," tweeted Ned Lannamann.

    "I’m in no danger but don’t really have any more information. Hope no one is hurt."

    Another person took to Twitter stating that people were "sprinting to the parking deck."

    "Security telling travelers to evacuate," Lucas McCoy tweeted.

  • H. J. Hayes

    WHO FIRED A GUN AT HARTFIELD-JACKSON AIRPORT?

    There was not an active shooter at Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson airport.

    It's unclear if the gun was fired by a traveler, member of law enforcement, or security staff at the airport.

  • H. J. Hayes

    TWITTER USERS QUESTION 'ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE' AT AIPORT

    Many users have responded to the statement provided by the official Atlanta Airport Twitter account.

    According to various people, they allegedly heard multiple shots fired as opposed to the single accidental discharge reported by the airport.

    One user wrote: "How do you explain the 3 pops we heard???"

    Someone responded to them mentioning it could have been an echo from the original gunshot.

    Another person added: "Why was there a gun in what is very literally the busiest airport on the planet and why was it 'accidentally' discharged?"

  • H. J. Hayes

    WHAT IS AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE?

    An accidental discharge is whenever a gun is discharged (fired) at a time not intended by the user.

    An accidental discharge can be the result of faulty design within the weapon itself, while a negligent discharge can be the result of training issues or negligence upon the owner.

    When a gun is fired unintentionally, it could be because of mechanical failure. Examples of this include: firearms that do not have proper safety mechanisms, a stuck firing pin, a failed sear, or rounds heating to spontaneously ignite in the chamber.

    An accidental discharge means there is not typically an error as a result of the user, but equipment malfunction.

  • H. J. Hayes

    AIRPORT CONFIRMS ATLANTA POLICE ARE ON SCENE

    The airport took to Twitter to provide additional updates.

    "At approximately 1:30 pm today a weapon accidentally discharged at ATL’s security screening area," the airport announced on Twitter.

    "There is NOT an active shooter at the airport. APD is on the scene. More information about the situation will be made available on our social media channels."

  • H. J. Hayes

    NO NEWS ON WHEN ATLANTA AIRPORT WILL RECEIVE THE ALL-CLEAR

    On Twitter, users responded to the Atlanta Airport's tweet confirming there is no active shooter on the premises.

    "Can we please get off the tarmac and make our flight????" asked one Twitter user.

    "I am in the airport and they are not letting anyone out," said another.

  • H. J. Hayes

    AIRPORT CONFIRMS SHOTS WERE 'ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE'

    According to the Atlanta Airport social media accounts, there is no active shooter.

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