Authorities in Palm Beach County say a potential mass shooting may have been averted Tuesday morning after sheriff’s deputies arrested a heavily armed man outside Palm Beach International Airport, as reported by the New York Post.

According to a report by the Miami Herald, Michael Rodrigues, 41, was found inside a rental car parked in a restricted lot near the terminal. The vehicle contained an AR-15 rifle, multiple loaded magazines, and several knives.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies approached Rodrigues around 7:10 a.m. after observing suspicious behavior. He was reportedly seen standing outside the vehicle, putting on clothes near the terminal’s restricted access area.

Deputies questioned him and searched his vehicle after locating a loaded magazine in the glovebox.

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Inside the vehicle, deputies found a high-powered rifle and additional weapons concealed beneath a blanket. Rodrigues was taken into custody without incident.

Authorities have not released a potential motive, and no injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing, and charges against Rodrigues are still pending.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed whether the suspect intended to target airport personnel, travelers, or infrastructure.

The quick response from deputies, however, was credited with averting what could have been a serious public safety threat at one of Florida’s busiest transportation hubs.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have not issued official statements on the incident but are expected to review airport security protocols in response.

Rodrigues has not been linked to any known extremist groups, and authorities have not confirmed whether he had a valid permit for the weapons found.

Law enforcement officials emphasized the importance of vigilance, particularly in areas near airports and transportation centers.

Palm Beach International Airport remained fully operational throughout the incident, and no evacuations or lockdowns were reported.

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