Airport Calls Device 'Suspicious'

WXIA ^ | 4/7/2004 | Jennifer Leslie

[swilhelm73]

A "suspicious" device was found in the bathroom at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport today, according to the Atlanta FBI.

Authorities would not comment on the contents or potential of the device pending the outcome of their current investigation.

"We are not prepared to share with you at this time anything in regards to that device," said Gregory Jones, special agent in charge for the Atlanta FBI, at a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the airport.

"We do not know what we have. I do not want to describe it for you," he said.

Atlanta Police Sgt. Shad Hutchins, who also spoke at the conference, told reporters a cleaning worker discovered the package in a men's bathroom in the South Terminal about 10:55 a.m. It was "in plain view on the counter," according to Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta.

Authorities said the worker notified the Transportation Security Administration at the airport, which in turn notified the Atlanta Police Department. A bomb squad and K-9 unit were dispatched to the airport to investigate.

After examining the device, including x-raying contents, authorities determined it to be "suspicious," Sgt. Hutchins said. Passengers were "rerouted in a limited way away from the bathroom" as law enforcement sent in a robot to contain and remove the device.

According to Sgt. Hutchins, the device was taken to a detonation area, where an investigation into its contents is currently underway.

Jones said, "[It's] being examined to determine exactly what we have."

Over the course of two hours and 10 minutes, authorities conducted a secondary sweep of the South Terminal and other parts of the airport. DeCosta said he did not think it was necessary to evacuate the Main Concourse.

Although some passengers missed their flights, DeCosta said no other flights were delayed or canceled. The South Terminal and other affected areas were reopened by 1 p.m., authorities said.

DeCosta said he was satisfied with how the situation was handled and with the airport's current security measures already in place. Including a secondary sweep of other areas.

"Those of you who use the airport know that we have constant announcements to bring to a police officer or staff member if there should be a suspicious package," he said.

The FBI, TSA and Atlanta police are being assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in the investigation.

Just prior to the announcement, Eric Blum, with the Transportation Security Administration in Washington, told NBC's Atlanta Bureau that an explosive device had been found in the airport's bathroom. Blum said the device was taped to two other objects that appeared to be part of a detonation system.

Airport officials are asking anyone who may have seen anything regarding the suspicious to call either (404) 650-2184 or the FBI at (404) 679-9000.

[Loyal Buckeye]

"We do not know what we have. I do not want to describe it for you," he said.

That reminds me. I left my homemade battery operated potato peeler somewhere in Atlanta. Now, if I could just remember where.

[Rutles4Ever]

Jones said, "[It's] being examined to determine exactly what we have."

This is troubling. Not the typical response to a false alarm scenario.

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[johnfrink]

I heard on LGF it was a cellphone attached to a grenade, but another news report said it was wrapped in tape with wires sticking out of it. I'm still going to guess it was some sort of prank.

On the other hand, they might know exactly what it is, and they are just waiting to process surveilance tape before they announce to the world (and, thus, the perp) that they know what they are after. Pleading ignorance buys time.

[cmsgop]

"We are not prepared to share with you at this time anything in regards to that device," said Gregory Jones

Sounds like it was a warning of some sort.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Lovely. My husband goes thru this airport tomorrow.

[johnfrink]

Better to go through the day after something is found than the day something is found. There's no airport I'd rather travel through than Hartsfield tomorrow. It will be positively crawling with cops and DHS folks. No worries.

[Rutles4Ever]

Even more troubling, aren't most airport bathrooms beyond the security lines?

[Samurai_Jack]

?????

[Rutles4Ever]

This is not good, anyhow you cut it. The FBI doesn't hem and haw about a "prank". They explained away the American Airlines crash over Queens in less than an hour. It's obviously an IED and they need to proceed with caution before spooking the public...

[livius]

What a strange comment.

I wonder if it was some kind of detonating device, rather than the explosive device itself. I have always felt that ATL would be the next target.

Of course, I live in the South and go through ATL all the time, so I may be a little paranoid.

[johnfrink]

Well, yeah, but a pipe bomb made by your local meth cooker is also an IED. The way this was left out in the open says "some idiot trying to set off a panic" rather than "savvy terrorist" to me.

More disturbing to me would be if the bathroom is inside the concourse. I don't love the thought that a freaking grenade made it through the scanners. Urk.

[cmsgop]

Whats an IED? for those watching at home?

[templar]

I wonder if it was some kind of detonating device, rather than the explosive device itself.

Maybe it wasn't even a bomb at all. Just some kind of simple biological virus releasing device. (Maybe I shouldn't take Twenty Four seriously.)

[mtbopfuyn]

News report during Hannity three hours ago said it was a grenade attached to a cell phone but didn't know if it was rigged to go off it phone rang.

[cmsgop]

Per AJC.COM

An X-ray of the bag revealed it contained a hand grenade with the pin pulled and "attached to something like a mobile radio," Lee said.

[cyncooper]

I heard on one of the cables---I think Laurie Dhue on Fox--that their sources are saying it was a grenade taped to a cell phone.

Not confirmed.

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[spodefly]

Whats an IED?

Improvised Explosive Device.

When you find and IED, call EOD, ASAP. OK?