The Rhode Island TF Green International Airport is on lockdown as a possible “security threat” is evaluated. Rhode Island State Police Col Darnell Weaver said that the threat “appears to be unfounded at this time”.
The airport wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter on Friday morning: “Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport is currently in lockdown as law enforcement addresses a potential security threat. Travelers are asked to delay arrivals at the airport at this time. More information will be provided when available.”
Both state and local police responded to the possible threat at the airport, according to WPRI.
“We received a call of a possible threat at the airport, multiple agencies are investigating now and conducting a search of the parking lots,” Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor told the local TV station.
Col Weaver added that troopers have established a perimeter surrounding a parking garage, adding that a Warwick SWAT team was clearing that building.
“Preliminary, what we have is the call came into Warwick police about a potential suspect with a rifle,” Col Weaver said, according to WPRI. “They responded to the area, it was isolated to the parking garage, not the actual terminal.”
Police are telling travellers that the airport is closed and they have blocked the entrances.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation have said that all travel lanes going towards TF Green on the airport connector have also been blocked.
WJAR reporter Joanna Bouras tweeted: “Warwick Police, airport police, and Rhode Island State police are actively investigating at TF Green airport … several people are sitting across the street on Post Rd. waiting for information on their flights.”
“The Warwick Officer in Charge tells me someone called the police department saying they have a rifle and then hung up … they tell me they have not confirmed whether or not it’s true,” she added.
