An alleged accidental gun firing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s security screening area on Saturday sent passengers into a panic. All departing flights were temporarily delayed as a result.
Following the incident, the airport took to Twitter, confirming that there was no active shooter and that no passengers were in any danger whatsoever.
“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.”
A passenger who was traveling from Atlanta to Anchorage, Alaska, said she “thought they were late for a flight, and then more and more people started running," she told CNN. "There was some screaming and then somebody stopped and said, 'There's a shooter, you need to go.'"
The incident occurred as airlines are preparing for their busiest times since before the pandemic.
“We anticipate that travel may be very close to pre-pandemic levels this holiday, and we are staffed and prepared for the holiday travelers," TSA administrator David Pekoske said.
