Dallas Airport Goes Into Lockdown After Man Runs Through TSA Checkpoint

A man has been arrested after allegedly running through a checkpoint at Dallas Love Field Airport, briefly causing disruption for other passengers.

Video posted into social media shows a man being taken away in handcuffs following an alleged security breach on Sunday night.

The Dallas Texas TV Twitter account said the Dallas Love Field airport was "on lockdown" after an individual ran through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint.

Images and videos show a large crowd of passengers waiting in line for baggage claim and standing around waiting in other parts of the airport following the incident.

In a statement to Newsweek, Dallas Police confirmed that an alarm sounded at one of the exit lanes at the Dallas Love Field Airport at 9:05 p.m. on Sunday, July 25.

Jeremy Hall, 31, was later seen walking from the unsecure area in the opposite direction as the exiting passengers.

Officers were dispatched to the area to attempt to locate the suspect.

After several minutes, TSA and Dallas police officers found Hall in the food court area. Hall was taken into custody and was arrested for Criminal Trespass.

A Dallas Love Field Airport spokesperson confirmed to Newsweek that an individual did breach the TSA checkpoint that led to a brief halt of screening but "there was no impact to flight operations."

A number of people tweeted about being the lockdown at the airport on Sunday night.

"People being prevented from leaving the terminal at Dallas Love Field. No explanation given. Hundreds waiting," wrote Washington Post technology policy editor Mark Siebel.

Twitter user MD Sanchez added: "There has been an arrest. Numerous TSA security officers on the scene. No one coming in or out."

The incident comes as the Federal Aviation Administration reports a sharp increase in cases of unruly passengers on U.S. airlines.

According to their FAA's data, there have been 3,509 incidents of unruly passengers on board flights so far this year, as of July 20.

There have also been 2,605 mask-related incidents as passengers refuse to cover their faces as required amid the pandemic.

Of the 3,509 incidents, 581 have resulted in investigations by the agency—more than three times the number of FAA investigations launched for the whole year of 2020, which was just 183.

It is a federal offense to interfere with the duties of a crew member during a flight. The FAA said security violations are excluded from the figures as these cases are handled by the TSA.