WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — T.F. Green Airport is back up and running after police gave the all clear Friday afternoon.
The airport was locked down for about an hour as state and local police investigated a reported threat involving a “potential suspect with a rifle” in the parking garage, according to Rhode Island State Police Col. Darnell Weaver.
A SWAT team swept the building and found no credible threat. The scene was cleared by about 12:30 p.m.
Weaver told 12 News early on that the threat appeared to be unfounded.
To ensure everyone’s safety, police set up a perimeter around the garage and closed all roads leading to the airport, including the Airport Connector and Post Road. Security was also increased inside the terminal.
Some flights bound for T.F. Green were diverted to other airports during the lockdown. While this is no longer an issue, airport officials are advising travelers to check on their flights since delays are still possible.
The lockdown caused confusion among travelers heading into the busy holiday weekend.
“We were actually trying to get out of our hotel, trying to get an Uber, but couldn’t. The roads blocked off from both ways, couldn’t get in,” said Robert Souza, who’s in town from Florida.
“I couldn’t get off the Airport Connector to the airport, so I went onto Post Road and there are cops everywhere and just couldn’t get through,” Mary Lou Medeiros of Seekonk recalled. “Nobody knew what was going on initially, and there were two cops here and they said it was a security issue.”
The roadways have since reopened.