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Newly released surveillance footage captured the tense moment a suspect breached a TSA checkpoint at the Atlanta airport last year, only to be quickly caught by an onlooker and subdued within seconds.
Police released this photo through an open public records request, showing the incident that happened early on October 30 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Fox 5 Atlanta reported Thursday.
The suspect was identified as Fabian Leon, 40, who was charged with simple battery and evading security measures, the store said.
In the photo, Leon is seen running through the airport before attempting to enter the TSA checkpoint.
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A bystander confronted a man who allegedly tried to breach security at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
As he approached the checkpoint, Leon was seen violently shoving the agent, knocking the officer down and tripping over him in the process.
A TSA officer then responded and reportedly yelled “violation,” prompting bystander Mark Thomas to turn around without hesitation.
Thomas was then seen lunging at Leon, quickly grabbing him and picking him up before stabbing the suspect to the ground.
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Fabian Leon allegedly tried to get through airport security on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
“I saw him hit the first guy and the TSA agent tried to grab him, and when he was about to pass me, I just said, okay, I’ll take over if I can,” Thomas said, according to Fox 5.
Shortly after the incident, an onlooker recalled that Leon was acting strangely calm and “detached” from the situation, even appearing to “speak softly” as he repeatedly told everyone he was okay and asked to be stopped.
“He was talking softly. He kept saying, ‘Oh, I’m fine, I’m fine, stop it, stop it, I’m fine,'” Thomas said. “It’s like, obviously, he was aloof from the whole situation.”
The police later said that Leon told the police that he had been drinking alcohol and taking drugs before the incident, the newspaper reported.
Fabian Leon, 40, faces multiple charges including simple battery and evading security measures. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
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Authorities eventually secured Leon by restraining him in a chair at the scene, according to the photo.
During the confrontation, the police said that three of their officers were beaten again.
Authorities arrested suspect Fabian Leon after he allegedly attempted to breach security measures at the Atlanta airport on Oct. 30, 2025. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
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Although Thomas said he would intervene again if needed, the airport could benefit from more police presence.
“I think a lot of police should have been there, it shouldn’t have taken me to take him down,” Thomas said, according to Fox 5. “I don’t know how many checkpoints or people went through before that.”
