Suspect identified in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport bomb scare
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies detained a man Tuesday morning after he claimed to have a bomb in his bag at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, investigators confirmed.
Authorities evacuated the lower and upper levels of Terminal 4 while deputies conducted a security sweep. The BSO Bomb Squad Unit responded, secured the bag, and assessed the situation. After a thorough search, deputies said no bomb was found.
Suspect identified and charged by BSO
BSO identified the man as 35-year-old Angel Orlando Fernandez-Garcia. He is facing one count of false report of a bomb.
Airport officials said on X that the ongoing security investigation affected only the pre-security public areas of Terminal 4's arrivals and departures levels. Law enforcement diverted travelers to unaffected terminals, and the airport urged guests to remain patient during the disruption.
Despite the evacuations and diversions, the sheriff's office said overall airport operations were not affected.
Travelers describe unsettling police presence
"It's kind of unnerving, you never know what's going to happen when you're traveling," said Chris Fraser, who flew in from Ottawa, Canada, and walked outside to see the large police presence during the sweep.
"That puts me at ease, too. I think they need to do a thorough investigation and make sure that everybody is safe and that every nook and cranny is," Fraser added.
Community praises deputies for quick action
Many said they were thankful the situation wasn't worse.
"We have to place our trust in them every day, and that's what they're here for. They do a good job," said John Barber.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro.