Man wanted for discharging gun in Atlanta airport turns himself in to police

ATLANTA — The man police say discharged his gun at a security checkpoint inside Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has turned himself in.

The Transportation Security Administration said an agent began a bag search due to a prohibited item being identified by an X-Ray.

The agent told the passenger, who police later identified as 42-year-old Kenny Wells, not to touch the bag. But when the agent opened it, Wells lunged into the bag. That is when the gun accidentally discharged, according to TSA.

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Wells was able to escape the airport with the gun as chaos ensued as thousands of other passengers ran from the airport.

Police say three people needed medical assistance after Wells fired his weapon. One person fell in the atrium and two others complained of shortness of breath.

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Police later found the gun discarded in a nearby trash can.

Wells has now turned himself in to authorities, police say. He has been charged with carrying a weapon at a commercial service airport, reckless conduct, discharging of firearms on property of another and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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Police say they are still investigating the incident.

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