A shuttle bus manager who was seriously injured while protecting a bus driver from an alleged attack at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has filed a negligence lawsuit against the City of Atlanta, claiming officials failed to address ongoing safety concerns involving homeless individuals at the airport.
The lawsuit, recently filed in the Superior Court of Fulton County, alleges the city did not take reasonable steps to prevent repeated criminal activity at the airport, despite being aware of a long-standing problem involving homeless individuals loitering on airport property.
Employee Seriously Injured While Protecting Bus Driver
The plaintiff, Kwan Lawrence, had been working as a shuttle bus manager at Atlanta’s airport for only about one month when the attack occurred on September 11, 2024.
According to the lawsuit, Lawrence received a report from a female shuttle bus driver that a man believed to be homeless was riding her shuttle bus and behaving aggressively toward her and passengers.
The complaint states that the man allegedly made lewd and sexually threatening comments toward the driver while acting in a hostile manner.
Lawrence instructed the driver to return to the airport’s main terminal so the situation could be addressed.
Suspect Allegedly Threatened to Kill Employee
When the shuttle arrived at the terminal, the man initially exited the bus.
The lawsuit says Lawrence positioned himself between the bus entrance and the driver to prevent any further confrontation while the suspect continued making threatening remarks.
Lawrence informed the man that he would not be allowed back onto the shuttle bus.
According to court documents, the suspect then threatened to kill Lawrence before attempting to force his way back onto the bus.
Violent Knife Attack Left Lasting Injuries
The lawsuit alleges the confrontation quickly turned violent when the suspect pulled out a knife.
Lawrence was allegedly:
- Slashed across the face
- Stabbed above one eye
- Left with a deep cut across his nose
- Suffered a broken right wrist during the struggle
Emergency responders transported Lawrence to a hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the alleged attacker fled the airport on foot before being apprehended.
Employee Says Attack Changed His Life
According to the lawsuit, Lawrence continues to suffer from significant physical and psychological injuries nearly two years after the attack.
His attorney states he has been diagnosed with:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Sleep disorders
The complaint also says his medical expenses have exceeded $80,000 since the attack.
Lawsuit Alleges Airport Ignored Ongoing Safety Problems
The lawsuit argues that the City of Atlanta had long been aware of problems involving homeless individuals remaining inside airport facilities without legitimate business.
According to the complaint, homeless individuals had allegedly been involved in numerous criminal incidents over several years, including assaults targeting both airport employees and travelers.
The lawsuit claims airport officials failed to implement adequate security measures or remove individuals who were repeatedly engaging in unlawful behavior.
It further alleges the city should have recognized the risk posed by ongoing criminal activity and taken action before Lawrence was attacked.
Airport Created Homelessness Task Force After Incident
According to the complaint, the City of Atlanta established a task force to address homelessness at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport only after Lawrence’s assault.
Lawrence’s attorneys argue that those efforts came too late and that preventative action should have been taken before employees and passengers were placed at risk.
The lawsuit seeks damages based on allegations that the city failed to provide a reasonably safe environment for airport workers and visitors.
Homelessness Becoming a Challenge at Major Airports
The lawsuit also highlights that Atlanta is not the only major airport dealing with homelessness.
Several large airports around the world have faced similar issues in recent years as increasing numbers of unhoused individuals have sought shelter inside terminal buildings.
One example cited is Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain, where airport officials reportedly introduced stricter access controls after hundreds of homeless individuals began staying overnight in terminal facilities.
Under those measures, only ticketed passengers are permitted inside certain areas, while visitors without boarding passes are restricted from entering the terminals.
Case Moves Forward
The negligence lawsuit against the City of Atlanta is now pending in Fulton County Superior Court.
City officials have not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the complaint.
The case will determine whether the city failed in its duty to protect airport employees from foreseeable criminal activity and whether Lawrence is entitled to compensation for the injuries and long-term effects he says resulted from the attack.
