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MacArthur Airport Evacuated After Man Found With Explosive
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 16, 2008
Modified Oct 16, 2008
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By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 16, 2008
Modified Oct 16, 2008
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Part of the Southwest Airlines terminal at MacArthur Airport on Long Island was evacuated for about an hour this morning after an improvised explosive device was found in the carry-on bag of an unidentified man. Officials say they won't be able to determine what the device is until it's defused and examined, but it's believed to be either a smoke bomb, pipe bomb or firework. It was spotted by TSA baggage screeners as the 20-year-old attempted to board a flight to Las Vegas, where he resides. The TSA then pulled his checked luggage and found a knife and fireworks, including M-80s. The FBI and agents from the DOJ's Joint Terrorism Task Force are on the scene; FBI spokeswoman Lara Uselding tells Newsday the man has "no known nexus to terrorism." At least four outgoing flights were delayed following the incident.
Tagged
bomb
long island
macarthur airport
plane
southwest airlines
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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