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On November 20, 2021, a gun was accidentally discharged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing panic and temporarily halting flights. The incident occurred when a TSA official identified a prohibited item in a passenger's bag during an X-ray screening and initiated a secondary search. During the search, the passenger, later identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, lunged for the bag, grabbing a firearm that ultimately discharged. Wells then fled the airport with the firearm in hand. Three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the evacuation, but no one was shot. Wells is wanted on warrants for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date and Time of Incident | 20 November 2021, around 1:30 p.m. |
| Location | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Suspect | Kenny Wells, 42 |
| Suspect's Characteristics | Male |
| Suspect's Status | At large, wanted by the police |
| Incident Characteristics | A firearm was detected in the suspect's bag during a security check, after which the suspect grabbed the firearm and fled the airport |
| Injuries | Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the evacuation |
| Incident Classification | Accidental discharge |
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What You'll Learn
The suspect, Kenny Wells, is still at large
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, a gun was accidentally discharged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing panic and the temporary halt of all departing flights. The incident occurred at around 1:30 p.m. ET when a "prohibited item" was detected in a passenger's carry-on baggage during an X-ray screening at the airport's main security checkpoint. The item was flagged for a "secondary search," during which the passenger lunged for his bag, grabbing a firearm that ultimately discharged. The passenger then fled the security checkpoint with the firearm in hand.
Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, but none were shot. The discharged round went into the property of the person who brought the weapon, according to a source familiar with the matter. The injured individuals were hurt during the airport's evacuation, which was prompted by fears of an active shooter. Videos recorded by witnesses show terrified passengers running for safety and lying on the ground in an attempt to seek cover.
The suspect, 42-year-old Kenny Wells, is still at large. Wells faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct. Atlanta Police Maj. Reginald Moorman stated that authorities are "actively pursuing" Wells, but as of Saturday night, his whereabouts were unclear.
The incident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, comes as millions of Americans prepare to travel for Thanksgiving, traditionally the busiest travel period of the year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen 20 million travelers during this period. The TSA has reported a record number of guns being brought to airports by passengers, with 4,650 firearms caught at checkpoints in the first 10 months of the year, surpassing the full-year record of 4,432 set in 2019. At the Atlanta airport alone, 450 firearms have been detected at checkpoints in 2021.
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Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries
The shooting caused widespread panic, with terrified passengers running for safety, fearing an active shooter situation. Videos recorded by witnesses show line dividers being knocked down as people lie on the ground in an attempt to seek cover. Some people are heard shouting "get down" in the videos. The ground stop was soon lifted, and the airport confirmed that there was no active shooter.
The incident occurred when a prohibited item was detected in a passenger's property during an X-ray screening at the airport's main security checkpoint. The item was flagged for a secondary search, during which the passenger lunged for their property, grabbing a firearm that ultimately discharged. The passenger then fled the security checkpoint with the firearm and was still at large days after the incident.
The firearm was later found in a trash can on the airport's property. The individual whose weapon discharged was identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, who is wanted on warrants for carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct.
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The incident caused panic and halted flights
The accidental discharge of a firearm at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday, November 20, 2021, caused widespread panic and briefly halted departing flights. The incident occurred at around 1:30 pm ET when a "prohibited item" was detected in a passenger's carry-on bag during an X-ray screening at the airport's main security checkpoint. The item was flagged for a secondary search, during which the passenger lunged for his bag, grabbing a firearm that ultimately discharged.
The loud noise of the gunshot created a sense of chaos and panic, with terrified passengers fearing an active shooter situation. Videos recorded by witnesses show people lying on the ground in an apparent attempt to seek cover, while others are seen running in a frenzy. The incident left at least three people with non-life-threatening injuries, who were hurt during the evacuation. A ground stop was called for the airport for all departing flights, but it was soon lifted.
The individual responsible for the incident, later identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, fled the airport with the firearm and was still at large several days later. Wells faces charges including carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct. Authorities stated that they were actively pursuing Wells, and the FBI and ATF were providing investigative assistance to the Atlanta police.
The incident occurred during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with millions of Americans preparing to travel for Thanksgiving. It also highlighted a growing problem of passengers bringing firearms to airports, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting an increasing number of guns being caught at checkpoints across the country. In 2021 alone, 450 firearms had been detected at the Atlanta airport's checkpoints.
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The gun was found three days later in a trash can
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, a gun was accidentally discharged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing panic and the temporary halting of flights. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm ET when a "prohibited item" was detected in a passenger's carry-on bag during an X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. The passenger, later identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, was subjected to a secondary search, during which he lunged for his bag, grabbing the firearm and accidentally discharging it. Wells then fled the airport with the gun in hand, sparking a manhunt.
Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the chaotic evacuation that followed, but they were not struck by the bullet. The bullet fired hit the property of the person who brought the weapon, according to a source familiar with the matter. The incident was captured on video by witnesses, showing terrified passengers running for safety, knocking over line dividers, and lying on the ground in an attempt to seek cover.
In the days following the incident, authorities actively pursued Wells, who faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon in a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct. The gun used in the incident was recovered three days later, found inside a trash can on the airport's property. While the gun was located, Wells remained at large, and his whereabouts were unknown.
The incident at Atlanta's airport highlighted a growing concern over passengers bringing firearms to airports and attempting to carry them onto flights. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 450 firearms had been detected at checkpoints in Atlanta alone in 2021, and a record-breaking 4,650 firearms were caught at checkpoints in the first 10 months of the year across the country, with the vast majority being loaded.
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The FBI and ATF are assisting the investigation
On Saturday, November 20, 2021, a firearm was discharged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing panic and the temporary grounding of flights. The gun was later found in a trash can on the airport's property. The incident occurred when a TSA official identified a "prohibited item" in a passenger's bag during an X-ray screening at the airport's main security checkpoint. The passenger, later identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, lunged for the bag during a secondary search, grabbing the firearm, which accidentally discharged. Wells then fled the airport with the firearm in hand.
The FBI and ATF are assisting the Atlanta Police Department in their investigation of the incident. The involvement of federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, is standard procedure in cases involving firearms, especially in sensitive locations like airports. The FBI has the jurisdiction to investigate crimes that occur at airports, ensuring the safety and security of air travel and addressing any potential threats. The ATF, as the federal agency responsible for firearms and explosives, provides expertise in firearms-related investigations, including tracing the origin of the firearm involved and analyzing ballistic evidence.
The FBI's role in the investigation likely includes reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence from the scene. They have the resources and expertise to analyze any digital evidence, such as video or audio recordings, and can assist in identifying and locating the suspect. The FBI may also coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, both locally and nationally, to share information and ensure a comprehensive investigation.
The ATF's involvement focuses on the firearm itself and its history. They can trace the firearm's ownership history, determine if it was acquired legally or illegally, and investigate any potential links to other crimes. The ATF has a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) that allows them to match bullet casings and firearms to other crimes, helping to solve and prevent further incidents. By examining the firearm and any ballistic evidence, the ATF can provide crucial insights into the specific circumstances of the discharge, including the direction and trajectory of the bullet, which can aid in reconstructing the incident.
The collaboration between the FBI and ATF, along with the Atlanta Police Department, ensures a thorough and efficient investigation. Their combined efforts aim to bring the individual involved to justice and enhance the security measures at the airport to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
A gun was discharged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, causing panic and the temporary halt of flights.
The gun was discharged by a passenger identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells.
Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the evacuation. No one was shot.
Wells fled the airport with the gun and is currently wanted by the police on warrants for carrying a concealed weapon at a commercial airport, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm, and reckless conduct.
While TSA screenings have detected a record number of guns at airports, it is believed that Wells' gun was not detected during the X-ray screening and was only found during a secondary search.
