Man hospitalized after shooting himself at Atlanta airport

A man was hospitalized after sustaining an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to officials. Authorities said a nearby witness kicked the handgun away from the suspect.

The incident occurred Sunday at about 3:30 p.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to Atlanta police spokesperson Major David Wilson. He said the suspect entered the airport, rode an escalator, and after reaching the upper level, intentionally shot himself in the upper left torso with a handgun.

The man fell to the ground, and a nearby witness kicked the weapon away and alerted law enforcement.

Officers responded immediately, secured the scene, and provided first aid to the individual, Wilson said. The man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.

Police identified the suspect as Douglas E. Smith, 59. Authorities said Smith is a convicted felon.

According to police, Smith was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless conduct, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Investigators said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

The deputy general manager of operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said normal airport operations were not impacted.

The incident comes about two months after Atlanta police said they prevented a potential mass shooting at the airport when officers arrested a man who allegedly threatened to open fire inside the terminal with an AR-15-style rifle.

In that case, police said the suspect was taken into custody inside the Domestic South Terminal after his family alerted authorities to threats made on social media, and a rifle and ammunition were later recovered from his vehicle parked outside the terminal.