FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A bomb threat called into a South Florida airport caused an evacuation of a terminal Sunday evening, authorities said.
Rhode Island man arrested
Update 4:02 p.m. EST Dec. 18: According to a news release from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Baeder, 27, of, Westerly, Rhode Island, was arrested Sunday night.
He faces one count of false reporting concerning planting a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction and one count of resisting an officer without violence.
Investigators said they were contacted by an employee at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, who advised deputies that Baeder allegedly said, “Call the cops, I have a bomb in my bag.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Baeder allegedly made the statement after having trouble using a kiosk to check into his flight.
An investigation is ongoing.
Original report: Sections of Terminal 1 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were evacuated after officials received a call at about 5:30 p.m. EST, the Miami Herald reported.
The upper level of the terminal was evacuated as a precaution while the Broward County Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad investigated, according to WSVN-TV.
Travel Advisory Update No. 1: As a precaution, the upper level of #FLL's Terminal 1 is evacuated and the entrance to the Departures roadway is temporarily closed due to an ongoing law enforcement investigation. Motorists, however, can still access the lower-level/arrivals road.
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) December 18, 2023
Travel Advisory Update No. 2: Law enforcement has cleared the security incident in Terminal 1 and all airport roadway and terminal operations are returning to normal. We appreciate your patience during this incident.
— Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int'l Airport (FLL) (@FLLFlyer) December 18, 2023
Deputies investigated for approximately three hours before giving an “all clear,” the television station reported. They detained a man for questioning, according to the Herald.
“While investigating the incident, deputies detained an adult male for questioning,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis said, according to WTVJ.
Terminal 1′s airlines include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Copa Airlines and Bahamasair, the Herald reported.
Bomb threat closes part of Fort Lauderdale airport. Authorities say a man is detained https://t.co/BMKBEqZHkF
— Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) December 18, 2023
It was unclear how many flights were delayed.
An investigation is ongoing.
