19-year-old charges through Phoenix airport security checkpoint, injures five officers before he is taken down
A man tried to rush through a security checkpoint at the Phoenix airport, attacking security officers and injuring five TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents in the process. According to CNN, the incident occurred around 9.45 am on Tuesday, June 18, at a security checkpoint on terminal 4 of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Lorie Dankers, a spokeswoman for the TSA, said that one officer was taken to the hospital while four were taken to urgent care clinics. All five personnel were treated and released. She added that other TSA officers and members of the Phoenix Police Department subdued the man and arrested him. The suspect was identified as Tyrese Garner, a 19-year old from Texas. According to Phoenix Police Det. Luis A. Samudio, the teen has been charged with criminal trespassing and resisting arrest, which are felonies, as well as five counts of misdemeanor assault.
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"This unprovoked and brazen physical attack against our employees is unacceptable," Dankers said. "We are grateful for our committed workforce and for the role they play in protecting the traveling public every day. We continue to monitor the safety and health of the TSOs involved in this incident and will cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation," she added.
Garner is due in court on June 25 and is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a $1,500 bond. According to court documents, no attorney has been assigned yet. Fox News reported that court records obtained by The Arizona Republic indicate Garner may suffer from mental health issues. It's possible he was also under the influence of drugs or alcohol, documents stated. The report also said that Garner refused to be walked out, due to which officers had to take him down the ground again, where he stayed until fire personnel arrived with a gurney to move him safely to a police vehicle.