Woman says coworker allowed to stay on the job after firing gun at Atlanta airport construction site

ATLANTA — A woman said she resigned from her contract job at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport when her coworker was still allowed to work after firing a weapon near one of the airport’s gates.

Kenyatta worked on a construction project at one of Hartsfield’s gates.

Channel 2′s Tom Jones spoke with Terrikka Kenyatta, who worked on a construction project at Gate 69.

Kenyatta told Channel 2 Action News she couldn’t believe what one of her coworkers did -- or how he was allowed to stay on the job.

According to the incident report, on February 12, Branden Copeland’s former girlfriend told officers he shot at her. The former girlfriend said she went to Copeland’s worksite. She said that Copeland had been drinking and accused her of being with another man. When she got out of the car, Copeland pulled out a gun and shot at her, according to the incident report.

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Kenyatta said she saw a woman fall out of her car and then she heard a gunshot.

“I was like, ‘I know he didn’t shoot at her,’” Kenyatta said.

The incident report said Copeland ran away. Police found the gun in the car and a bullet hole below the steering wheel.

Kenyatta said despite that situation, Lewis Contracting Services still allowed Copeland to continue working.

That’s when she resigned.

“I don’t feel safe working here. To know that you allowed this guy to come back to work,” Kenyatta said. “I feel like your employee safety should be first and foremost.”

Her supervisor actually reported that no gun was fired.

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Nelson Little with Lewis Contracting told Channel 2 Action News that Copeland wasn’t on the clock, the incident wasn’t on their property and the supervisor said no gun was fired. Therefore, Copeland was not let go at the time. The company said he was eventually let go, but would not disclose why.

Lewis Contracting also said Kenyatta is “disgruntled,” and she also once brought a weapon to work.

Kenyatta said the shooting incident was a breach of airport security and a threat to her and her coworkers.

Police are searching for Copeland, who faces domestic battery, reckless conduct, criminal trespass and discharging a firearm on the property of another.

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In other news:

TSA reports multiple guns found in passenger carry-ons, launches campaign to emphasize gun safety

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