TSA checkpoint breach at Atlanta airport: Bystander tackles Fabian Leon

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Newly launched surveillance footage has captured the tense second a suspect breached a TSA checkpoint at an Atlanta airport final 12 months, solely to be swiftly tackled by a bystander and subdued inside seconds.

Police launched the footage by way of an open public data request, displaying the incident unfolding on the morning of Oct. 30 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport, Fox 5 Atlanta reported Thursday.

The suspect was recognized as 40-year-old Fabian Leon, who was later charged with easy battery and avoiding safety measures, the outlet mentioned.

Within the footage, Leon seems to hurry by way of the airport earlier than making an attempt to enter the TSA checkpoint.

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A bystander tackled a person who allegedly tried to breach safety on the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

As he approached the initial screening area , Leon appeared to aggressively push previous an agent, knocking the officer to the bottom and stumbling over him within the course of.

A TSA officer then reacted and reportedly yelled "breach," prompting bystander Mark Thomas to show round with out hesitation.

Thomas then appeared to shortly lunge at Leon, swiftly grabbing and lifting him up earlier than bodyslamming the suspect to the bottom.

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Fabian Leon allegedly tried to push his manner by way of airport safety on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

"I noticed him knock over the primary dude after which a TSA agent tried to seize him, and as soon as he was going to get previous me, I used to be similar to, okay, I am going to simply take over if I can," Thomas mentioned, in line with Fox 5.

Instantly after the incident, the bystander recalled Leon performing oddly calm and "indifferent" from the state of affairs, even showing "soft-spoken" as he repeatedly instructed everybody he was okay and requested to be let up.

"He was very soft-spoken. He simply saved saying, 'Oh, I am okay, I am okay, let me up, let me up, I am okay'," Thomas mentioned. "It is like, sort of clear, that he was type of indifferent from your entire state of affairs."

Police mentioned Leon later instructed officers that he had consumed alcohol and brought medication shortly earlier than the incident, the outlet reported.

Fabian Leon, 40, faces a number of costs together with easy battery and avoiding safety measures. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

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Authorities ultimately secured Leon by detaining him in a chair on the scene, in line with the footage.

Throughout the scuffle, police mentioned three of their officers have been additionally assaulted.

Authorities detained suspect Fabian Leon after allegedly attempting to breach safety measures at an Atlanta airport on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)

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Whereas Thomas mentioned he would step in once more if wanted, the airport may gain advantage from extra police presence.

"I feel extra police presence ought to have in all probability been there, it should not have taken me to take him down," Thomas mentioned, in line with Fox 5. "I do not know what number of checkpoints or folks he obtained handed earlier than that."