The City of Atlanta is facing a negligence lawsuit after a shuttle bus manager was seriously injured in a knife attack at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The lawsuit alleges city officials failed to keep a previously banned individual off airport property despite longstanding concerns about security and homeless-related incidents.
Filed in the Superior Court of Fulton County, the complaint argues that officials ignored years of warnings about criminal activity involving unauthorized individuals at the world’s busiest airport.
The case also highlights a broader issue affecting major international airports, with facilities such as Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) introducing stricter access measures in response to increasing numbers of homeless people using airport terminals.
Airport Worker Alleges City Failed to Prevent Attack
Kwan Lawrence, who managed operations for Airport Shuttle Group, had been working at Hartsfield-Jackson for only one month when he was attacked in September 2024.
According to the lawsuit, Lawrence suffered a stab wound above his eye, deep cuts across his face, and a fractured right wrist while trying to protect a shuttle driver. He has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, chronic migraines, and sleep-related conditions.
The filing states that his medical expenses have already surpassed $80,000, and he is seeking damages through a jury trial to recover treatment costs and other losses, Paddle Your Own Kanoo flagged.
Lawrence’s legal team argues the City of Atlanta failed to address persistent security concerns despite repeated incidents involving homeless individuals at the airport over several years.
The complaint also alleges that the city knowingly allowed the suspect—who had reportedly been barred from the airport previously—to return to the property.
Early-Morning Confrontation Turned Violent
The attack unfolded at approximately 4:00 a.m. on September 11, 2024, inside the airport’s main terminal.
A shuttle driver reportedly contacted Lawrence after a passenger began behaving aggressively while making sexually explicit and threatening remarks toward her and other passengers. Lawrence instructed the driver to return to the terminal immediately.
After the shuttle arrived, the individual briefly exited but continued making threats. Lawrence positioned himself between the driver and the shuttle entrance, informing the man that he could not board again.
According to court documents, the suspect threatened to kill Lawrence before producing a knife. During the confrontation, Lawrence was slashed across the face and stabbed above his eye while attempting to stop the man from reboarding. He also suffered a broken wrist during the struggle.
Emergency responders transported Lawrence to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Police later located the suspect hiding inside a nearby garbage container and arrested him. Authorities identified him as 24-year-old Jacarie Seymour. Officers recovered the knife used in the attack, and Seymour was charged with aggravated assault and criminal trespass before being booked into the Clayton County Jail.
Lawsuit Says Airport Responded Too Late
The lawsuit claims the City of Atlanta only established a dedicated task force to address homelessness at the airport after the stabbing occurred.
According to the filing, officials either knew or should have known that repeated violent crimes linked to homeless individuals had created an ongoing safety risk for airport employees and travelers.
Lawrence’s attorneys argue the city failed to implement reasonable security measures despite years of warning signs, leaving workers and passengers exposed to preventable dangers.
_coming_in_from_Atlanta_(ATL)_@_Frankfurt_Rhein-Main_International_(FRA)_08.05.2018_(41937154382).jpg){kind=link}
Airports Worldwide Face Similar Challenges
Atlanta is not the only major airport grappling with homelessness inside its terminals.
Several airports around the world have introduced stricter security policies as growing numbers of people use airport facilities as overnight shelters.
One notable example is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain. Earlier this year, airport operator Aena stationed security personnel at terminal entrances after reports indicated that as many as 500 people were sleeping inside the airport each night.
The airport now limits terminal access primarily to ticketed passengers, requiring family members and friends to remain outside. Aena has also publicly criticized Madrid’s city authorities, arguing local officials have failed to adequately address the homelessness crisis surrounding the airport.