Atlanta Woman Charged with Assault After Randomly Stabbing Taxi Driver, Police Officer, and Delta Employee at Airport

Fresh details have emerged regarding the Wednesday afternoon stabbings at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

As per the Atlanta Police Department, the female suspect, identified as 44-year-old Damaris Milton, reportedly arrived at the airport via a taxi and allegedly stabbed the taxi driver before disembarking from the vehicle. Selemon Melkamu, the taxi driver, informed the police that he had picked up Milton from the Kensington MARTA station. While en route to the airport, as they were passing the international airport sign on Interstate 285 South, Melkamu recounted that Milton allegedly stabbed him in the upper chest near his shoulder. Subsequently, she seized his phone and tossed it out of the vehicle window onto the interstate.

Upon reaching the airport, Milton proceeded into the South Terminal, where police officers and a U.S. Deputy Marshal trailed her. During this time, she was seen with a knife and making threats towards a Delta employee who was also stabbed. Officers issued verbal commands instructing Milton to drop the weapon, but she failed to comply. Officer D. McFarland then attempted to restrain Milton using his city-issued taser. However, it was ineffective as she was wearing multiple layers of pants, preventing direct contact with her skin.

Following this, Lt. David Cannon made an attempt to subdue Milton using pepper spray. Unfortunately, Cannon slipped on the pepper spray, creating an opportunity for Milton to stab him in the leg. It was at this moment that Officer Hatley intervened by tackling Milton.

The taxi driver and the injured police officer were both transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, while the injured Delta employee was taken to Emory Hospital. Milton, on the other hand, was transported to Clayton County Jail. Currently, the motive behind the attacks remains undetermined. Milton is now facing four counts of aggravated assault.