April 7, 2004
Jennifer Leslie
WXIA-TV

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.

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