ATLANTA (CBS12) — The FBI is investigating after a flight from Nashville to Fort Lauderdale diverted to Atlanta on Friday night so police could remove a passenger amid a “security scare.”
In a Saturday afternoon update, The FBI in Atlanta said on Saturday, however, that there was no credible threat:
The FBI and APD have investigated and interviewed the person. There was no credible threat and no charges will be filed.
Officials with the Atlanta Police Department said they assisted federal authorities in removing the passenger from the aircraft upon landing at 9:06 p.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Although officials have not released details about the nature of the incident, police confirmed that the investigation was handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security.
Videos taken by passengers on board Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 show tense moments inside the cabin, with passengers ordered to keep their heads down and their hands up as four geared-up police officers pulled an unidentified man from his seat and handcuffed him.
In a statement, a Southwest Airlines spokesperson said:
Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter. We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and sincerely apologize to our Customers for the significant delay. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees.Comment with Bubbles
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The airline noted that following the incident, all other passengers were re-accommodated on another aircraft, continuing on to Fort Lauderdale International Airport and landing just before 3:30 a.m.