A suspect was detained at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport after security officials discovered a loaded gun in a backpack, police say.
According to reports, 29-year-old Jeffery McAfee entered a checkpoint at the airport on June 14 where he admitted to placing a backpack on the X-ray belt. A TSA agent discovered on their monitor what appeared to be a firearm, prompting the agent to call over a police officer.
The officer said he took the backpack off the belt and asked those in the area who owned it. When the suspect admitted it was his, the officer said he asked the man to accompany him to a screening area for questioning.
The officer said he asked McAfee if he owned a gun, and after hesitating the suspect said yes. He then asked if McAfee owned a concealed handgun license, to which he replied no. Next, he asked the suspect if knew where it was. Reports say the suspect hesitated again and asked, “Is it in my bag?”
Reports state the officer then placed the suspect in handcuffs for safety reasons and called for backup. When help arrived, the officer said he opened the backpack to find a revolver with six .22-caliber rounds of ammo inside the chamber.
McAfee was placed into custody on charges of places weapons prohibited, a third-degree felony, with a bond set at $5,000.
ABIA has signs posted around the building and in checkpoints stating that there are no firearms permitted on the secure side of the checkpoints.
