A man is in trouble with the law after police say he shot himself at the busy Atlanta airport on Sunday, December 21.
According to Atlanta police, 59-year-old Douglas E. Smith walked into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with a handgun around 3:30 p.m. He then allegedly went up to the baggage claim area and shot himself in the chest.
Police say a person nearby saw what happened and kicked the gun away from Smith.
When officers arrived, they found Smith awake and breathing. He had a gunshot wound on his arm. He was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition that evening, according to police.
Smith is now facing charges for having a gun as a convicted felon, having a gun while committing a crime, and acting recklessly, police said. He will be taken to jail after he leaves the hospital.
An airport official said that flights and travel were not affected by the incident.
Major D. Wilson said that the Atlanta airport is one of the safest major airports in the world and that safety is the airport’s top priority.
The shooting is still being investigated.
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