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FBI seek suspect responsible for Richmond airport evacuation

Posted at 1:24 PM, Jun 12, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-12 16:01:51-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - One day after a threat evacuated Richmond International Airport, business has returned to normal at RIC.

"I think by yesterday afternoon most of the delayed flights that were perhaps attributable to the evacuation were essentially resolved," airport spokesman Troy Bell said. "You could have flown in or out of here late yesterday afternoon or evening and they would have never known we had an event and that's been true today as well."

It was just before 6:30 Tuesday morning when an airport dispatcher received the telephone threat.  More than 1,000 passengers and airport staff were forced out into the heat as K9 units, criminal investigators and other local and state police were brought in to sweep the terminals and the parking decks.  Nothing was found and the airport reopened after nearly three hours.

Bell said there were only two flight cancellations Tuesday, and by Wednesday there were no further disruptions.  Airport officials said the investigation is now in the hands of the FBI. Agents are working to track down the person who phoned in the threat.

"We have capable folks in law enforcement looking at the details on who made the call," Bell said.

The person responsible for making the threatening call is facing up to 10 years in prison, in addition to possible federal charges.