Las Vegas airport erupts in panic after loud noise from 'unruly subject'

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 30: A Delta Airlines jet takes off behind the air traffic control tower at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug. 30, 2019. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Flights out of Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas were delayed early Sunday after a loud noise caused panic among travelers who thought it was gunfire.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said the noise was caused by "an unruly subject" in Terminal 1 around 4:30 a.m. and that person was in custody.

Police didn’t immediately release the person’s name or say if any charges would be filed.

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Airport officials said there was no security threat, but several concourses had to be cleared as a precaution and passengers needed to be re-screened at security checkpoints before boarding their flights.

Air & Space