Man Shoots Himself at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Man Hospitalized After Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

ATLANTA, Ga. — December 21, 2025A 59-year-old man was rushed to a local hospital Sunday afternoon after suffering an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the South Terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, authorities said.

Atlanta Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire around 3:34 p.m. near the upper-level baggage claim area and escalators. They found Douglas E. Smith with a gunshot wound, described in reports as to his left arm or upper left torso. The victim was alert, conscious, and breathing when emergency responders transported him for treatment.

Police quickly secured the firearm at the scene, and a nearby witness reportedly kicked the handgun away from the individual. No other injuries were reported, and airport officials emphasized that passengers were never in danger.

"This would not impact you at the airport," said Augustus Hudson, deputy general manager of operations at Hartsfield-Jackson. Normal flight operations continued without interruption amid the busy holiday travel season.

Investigators determined the shooting was intentional and self-inflicted. Smith, identified later in the evening, faces multiple felony charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and reckless conduct. He is expected to be booked into Clayton County Jail upon release from the hospital.

Authorities have not released details on a possible motive or how Smith was able to bring the handgun into the non-secure area of the terminal. The incident remains under investigation.

The event caused brief chaos in the terminal but was swiftly contained, highlighting ongoing security concerns in public areas of major airports. This comes just months after police thwarted a separate potential mass shooting plot at the same facility in October. 17GEN4

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