Passengers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport were forced to take cover after a knife-wielding woman allegedly stabbed three people.
After allegedly stabbing one man at the airport, the woman was confronted by police at around 4:45 P.M. as they attempted to reason with her to put down the weapon.
During this time, some passengers close to the incident at the airport were told to take cover incase the woman, who was carrying a bag, had a bomb or a gun, according to reports.
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The woman, who has now been arrested and taken into police custody, allegedly stabbed a man in the airport’s west crossover before she was confronted by police.
“During the encounter the female suspect stabbed an adult female and then an APD lieutenant as he attempted to take her into custody,” the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement.
“Another officer was then able to tackle and disarm the female and take her into custody. After taking the female into custody, officers learned she had stabbed an adult male, prior to officers encountering her.
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“The preliminary investigation indicates the female stabbed the driver of a taxi she was in, as it was pulling up to the airport. She then exited the taxi and walked into the airport where officers encountered her a short time later.”
Some videos of the tense encounter have begun to circulate on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In the video the woman is heard shouting at the police repeatedly as they demand she drop the knife. In the background some passengers can be seen lining up, separated by a glass window from the woman.
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At one point during the clip, the woman raises the weapon at the officers who are circling around her as another officer demands the passengers in the area quickly leave.
Another video clip appears to show passengers in a different part of the airport as they are updated by staff about the ongoing situation.
“It is very dynamic, folks, and it still is so we are going to get you all through as quickly as you can,” an airport security officer told passengers.
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“I don’t believe you are in any immediate danger, where you are currently at. Medical personnel and police are attending to the situation in the adjacent hall.”
Following the arrest of the woman, Atlanta police were able to confirm that all three victims are ‘alert, conscious and breathing and have been taken to the hospital.’
The female suspect was not injured as she was apprehended, and investigators are looking into possible motives for the incident.
Airport management said there was 'minimal disruption' to airport operations.
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UNILAD has contacted the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta International Airport for further comment.
Gerrard Kaonga