A Frontier Airlines flight preparing for takeoff in California was suddenly evacuated Sunday night after a passenger overheard what sounded like a chilling bomb threat, triggering a massive security response that temporarily disrupted airport operations.
The frightening incident unfolded November 8 at Ontario International Airport, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, when a traveler reported hearing another passenger apparently say he had a bomb in his backpack.
The alarming remark was immediately brought to the attention of the flight crew, prompting authorities to rush to the aircraft shortly before 10 p.m.
Officers from the Ontario Police Department quickly located and detained the man, while firefighters and bomb squad personnel arrived to investigate the potential threat.
As a precaution, passengers were ordered off the Frontier aircraft, and the east side of Terminal 2 was evacuated. Airport officials also temporarily held flights while investigators worked to determine whether an explosive device was on board.
But what initially appeared to be a potentially dangerous situation soon took an astonishing turn.
During questioning, the detained passenger explained that he had been speaking with a friend over FaceTime about the popular military video game Call of Duty.
According to Ontario Police Department spokesperson Denyse Quezada, the friend had just been eliminated in the game by a virtual C4 explosion, leading to the conversation that another traveler mistakenly interpreted as a bomb threat.
“The subject’s statement was related to a video game and not an actual explosive,” Quezada explained.
Investigators contacted the friend directly and confirmed the explanation, clearing up the misunderstanding that had sparked the airport emergency.
Meanwhile, a bomb-sniffing police dog and security personnel searched the aircraft and surrounding area. No explosives or other dangerous devices were discovered.
Airport spokesperson Steve Lambert confirmed that officials evacuated part of the terminal out of an abundance of caution and temporarily suspended flight activity during the investigation.
Once authorities determined there was no threat, airport operations resumed, and passengers were cleared to return to the aircraft.
Police concluded that no crime had been committed, and the detained traveler was released without charges. CBS Los Angeles reported that all passengers, including the man questioned by police, were permitted to reboard.
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