ORLANDO, Fla. — An incident at Orlando International Airport shut down a security checkpoint for several hours on Saturday. The incident caused significant delays at the airport.
- Man tried to breach security at Orlando International Airport
- Police say man, Ryan Scott Mills taken into custody, didn't have gun
- Breach caused significant backups on either side of west terminals
A 37-year-old man was taken into custody and could be charged with disorderly conduct after attempting to breach security at just before 12:30 p.m.
According to airport officials, Ryan Scott Mills approached the checkpoint for Airside 1 and 3 (Gates 1-59) and attempted to go through without being screened.
While TSA officials were stopping Mills, he reached into his pocket and someone in the screening area yelled that he had a gun.
There was no gun.
The commotion caused a panic and persons in the screening area fled. Some of them ran past the checkpoints, which caused TSA to immediately suspend screening operations. Some travelers suffered minor injuries in the pushing and shoving that ensued.
Airport officials stopped screening at the checkpoint during the incident.
Some passengers moved beyond the checkpoint and had to return to be screened . No passengers breached security. Security screening and activity resumed a short time later.
According to Orlando Police, Mills was taken into involuntary protective custody under the Baker Act.
In addition to disorderly conduct, he may be charged with resisting an officer without violence.