ATLANTA — Atlanta Police Department officers are investigating after a woman stabbed three people, including a lieutenant, at the Atlanta airport Wednesday evening, authorities said.
According to APD, officers assigned to the airport found the woman armed with a knife around 4:45 p.m. She was outside of security, near the west crossover and began walking to the south terminal.
Before officers came across her, she had already stabbed a man, they said. Atlanta Police said the first stabbing happened in a taxi at the north terminal. 11Alive's Cody Alcorn saw the taxi that was involved hitched to a tow truck at the Atlanta airport.
By the south terminal, officers tried to convince her to drop the knife and were working to restrict her movement and clear travelers from the area. During this encounter, she stabbed a woman and then an APD lieutenant in the leg as he tried to take her into custody. Ultimately, another officer tackled her to the ground and they used pepper spray and tasers to take her into custody, police added.
APD said the man and the woman who were stabbed did not know each other. Police said though it appears random - it's too early in the investigation to deem it so. Investigators are working to identify a motive behind the attacks.
All victims were conscious and breathing when they were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital police said. The suspect was not hurt.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport announced that the incident was being cleared just before 5:30 p.m., adding that its impact on operations "are minimal." There is no threat to the public, officials emphasized.
Police said officers will be at the airport collecting evidence as part of its investigation. Three areas are currently blocked off with crime scene tape, APD said. The security checkpoint was never closed and is still screening travelers.
No charges have been filed as of yet.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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