| Advertisement |
May 30 (UPI) -- Police said they arrested a man who pointed what turned out to be a fake gun at officers Tuesday at Florida's Orlando International Airport. No shots were fired and no one was injured. "Gunman is in custody. Everyone is safe," Orlando police tweeted.
Advertisement
The suspect, Michael W. Pettigrew, screamed "shoot me, shoot me!" after pointing the fake gun at officers, Orlando police chief John Mina said.
Pettigrew, 26, surrendered after talking to a crisis negotiator, police said. He faces one count of aggravated assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. He also will be held for a mental health evaluation.
Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said the man was on the first floor of the airport in the rental-car area. Officials shut down Terminal A as law enforcement cleared the first floor.
Orlando International Airport said on social media there was minimum impact to operations, adding that lingering delays were possible.
Hundreds of officers responded to the emergency call at 7:24 p.m. and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer tweeted his thanks for their "professionalism managing situation ... and keeping everyone safe."
In 2016, 50 people were killed at an Orlando nightclub by gunman Omar Seddique Mateen, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
In January, five people were killed and 36 injured when a gunman opened fire near the baggage claim at Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
