What started as a ticket dispute at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport ended with a Baltimore man in handcuffs Thursday, after he allegedly told airline staff he would "blow this place up," according to police. Officers detained the passenger at the scene, and he now faces criminal charges.
According to The Baltimore Sun, which cited statements from law enforcement officials, police say the comment came during an argument about the man's ticket and that he has been charged with making a threat of mass violence.
Legal consequences
Under Maryland law, the offense of threatening mass violence is codified in the Maryland Code at §3‑1001 and carries potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Courts may also order defendants to reimburse government agencies for the cost of any emergency response. The statute applies when a threat would place five or more people at substantial risk of death or serious physical injury, a standard prosecutors weigh when deciding whether to bring charges.
What police allege
Police told investigators that the remark followed a dispute over the passenger's ticket and that officers removed him from the terminal before arresting him, according to The Baltimore Sun. Officials did not immediately release additional details about the investigation, and prosecutors will determine whether to move the case forward in court.
