New York City TSA agent pepper-sprays five coworkers
Six Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents were sent to the hospital Tuesday after one of them accidentally pepper-sprayed his coworkers at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport.
Agent Chris Yves Dabel found the canister near JFK Terminal 2,
thinking it was a laser pointer, according to the New York Post.
Dabel told police he was “playing around” with the canister when it
discharged.
No passengers were hurt, but security checks were put on hold
for 15 minutes. Dabel refused medical attention.
The incident comes at a time when the TSA has been struggling to
repair its reputation in the wake of a report that undercover
agents were able pass would-be bombs through security at New
Jersey's Newark Liberty Airport. One secret inspector had a fake
improvised explosive device in his pants but went undetected
through a magnetometer and even a pat-down check. An IED of the
size he carried would have been able to blow a hole in a commercial
plane.
