CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A shuttle manager who was stabbed while trying to protect a coworker at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is suing the City of Atlanta.
The lawsuit, filed last week in Fulton County Superior Court, claims Kwan Lawrence suffered life-changing injuries during the Sept. 11, 2024, attack.
It argues the city was negligent because it allegedly allowed the suspect to return to airport property despite knowing he had previously been banned.
The City of Atlanta declined to comment, telling Channel 2 Action News it does not comment on pending litigation. Lawrence also declined Channel 2’s request for an interview.
According to the complaint, Lawrence was working as a manager for Airport Shuttle Group shortly before 4 a.m. when a female shuttle driver radioed for help after a man allegedly rode the airport shuttle for multiple loops, refused to get off and harassed passengers while making sexual comments toward her.
The lawsuit says Lawrence met the shuttle at the terminal and positioned himself between the driver and the man to prevent him from re-entering the vehicle. The complaint alleges the man then pulled a knife, slashed Lawrence across the face and ran away.
The lawsuit says Lawrence suffered a stab wound near his eye, a deep laceration across his face and a fractured right wrist.
It also alleges he has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, suffers from migraines, anxiety and sleeping disorders, and has incurred more than $80,000 in medical expenses.
Atlanta police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jacarie Seymour.
According to the lawsuit, Seymour was known to the City of Atlanta and had previously been banned from the airport before the attack. The complaint alleges the city nevertheless allowed him to return to airport property and use the shuttle system, which Lawrence claims led to the attack.
The lawsuit further alleges the city had been dealing with an ongoing problem involving homeless people remaining at the airport and says that issue led to numerous assaults on passengers and employees.
Court records show Seymour later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and related charges stemming from the incident. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Lawrence is seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
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