CHICAGO -- Private security workers at O'Hare International Airport were accused of letting a man pass through a checkpoint with several knives and a stun gun. Subash Gurung, 27, of Chicago was arrested trying to board a United Airlines flight to Omaha, Neb., on Saturday night. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and attempting to board an aircraft with weapons, both state misdemeanors. After being released on bail on those charges early Sunday, FBI agents arrested him again when he returned to O'Hare for his checked-in luggage and was charged with a federal felony count of attempting to carry a weapon on an aircraft. City officials said seven security workers, including a supervisor, failed to detain the Nepal-born Gurung after two folding knives were discovered in his pocket when he passed through a metal detector. The workers did not notice seven other knives, a stun gun and a can of Mace when Gurung's bag went through an X-ray machine. Instead, they were found by United Airlines employees in the gate area who searched Gurung's carry-on bag. ``Something obviously went seriously wrong here, and we're trying to find out if it's the employees' fault,'' said Monique Bond, spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation. ``If weapons were confiscated, he should never have been let through security.'' It was not immediately clear why Gurung tried to take the weapons aboard the airplane. In a statement, the FBI said there was no allegation that terrorism was involved. The screening workers were hired by an Atlanta-based security company. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. Although it was unclear whether the security workers had been fired or suspended, they no longer have the city-issued badges allowing them to work at O'Hare. Lawmakers said the incident would provide ammunition in debates over anti-terrorism legislation pending on Capitol Hill. Democrats want the federal government to take over airport security, while President Bush and many Republicans say the security job should stay in private hands. U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said officials would not have been able to fire the seven employees if they had enjoyed the civil service protection of federal employees. But Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., maintained that the security system would never work unless those running it were federal employees, ``like the Customs Service, like the FBI.''
Airport Security Workers Accused
CHICAGO -- Private security workers at O'Hare International Airport were accused of letting a man pass through a checkpoint with several knives and a stun gun.
More Special Units
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight
Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.
Read More →
Louisiana Motor Sergeant Dies from Injuries Suffered in June “Intentional” Crash
A motor officer, Sgt. Caleb Eisworth was on his way to participate in a funeral escort when he was struck by another vehicle.
Read More →
Tennessee Officers Say Man Tried to Detonate IED During Arrest
Inside the bedroom officers found what they believed to be an IED. The officers evacuated the house and called for the Chattanooga Police Bomb Squad and ATF agents.
Read More →
Florida School Officer Dies After On-Duty Medical Emergency
Sergeant Greg Graff was “preparing school leaders for the upcoming year during a safety training program at Clearwater High School,” the school district said.
Read More →
Grenade is Missing from Explosion That Killed 3 LASD Deputies
ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper said definitively that only one grenade detonated at the facility on July 18.
Read More →
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Names Deputies Lost in Friday Explosion
LASD said Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn who were all assigned to Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail were killed in the incident.
Read More →
Maryland State Police Helicopter Rescues Victim from Overturned Boat in Chesapeake Bay
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 crew, the MSP helicopter based in California, Maryland, were monitoring the county dispatch radio, overheard the dispatch, and self-launched.
Read More →3 Los Angeles County Deputies Killed in Explosion Friday Morning
At press time the names of the deputies had not been released. Sheriff Robert Luna said one had served for 19 years, another for 22 years, and another for 33 years.
Read More →
