The man suspected of accidentally firing a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport earlier this month, causing pandemonium in the terminal and serious travel delays, has surrendered to authorities.
Kenny Wells Jr., 42, turned himself in to the Clayton County Jail on Tuesday, Atlanta police announced in a news release. Wells, who has served prison time on weapons charges, is accused of firing the gun when he lunged to grab it from his bag as his luggage was being searched by TSA agents at the airport security checkpoint.
Wells is charged with carrying a weapon at a commercial airport, reckless conduct, discharging a firearm on the property of another and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, police said.
Multiple law enforcement agencies had been searching for Wells since the incident took place Nov. 20, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. Atlanta police said Wells was able to flee with his weapon after the accidental gunshot sent the crowded airport terminal into a panic. Social media was immediately filled with inaccurate reports of an active shooter, though officials with the airport and Atlanta police quickly clarified the situation.
In a news conference held just hours after the shot was fired, officials identified Wells as the suspect and shared his photo. A few days later, on Nov. 23, the gun was found in a trash can at the airport. Officials said Wells was able to blend in with the crowd and leave the airport before being caught.
#WANTED: @Atlanta_Police are looking for this man 42 yr old Kenny Wells. He’s accused of accidentally discharging his weapon at @TSA_Southeast checkpoint before fleeing @ATLairport
— Ashli Lincoln WSB-TV (@AshliLincoln) November 21, 2021
More on this tonight on @wsbtv at 11 pic.twitter.com/aZHoXHJCMh
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, Wells was convicted for possessing a gun as a felon in 2015 and spent two years in prison. He was released in October 2017. Among his other charges were impersonating a police officer and multiple traffic offenses.
Wells was also convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon in 1997, according to DOC records. He was sent to prison for three months in 2000. That followed an earlier felony conviction on two counts of theft by taking.
He was booked into the Clayton County Jail about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. He remains there without bond.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
