A fake bomb threat at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, caused a six-hour delay for Spirit Airlines flight 2145 heading to Los Angeles and led to a large security response from the TSA. The situation began after 23-year-old Charles Robinson, who had missed his flight, reportedly called Spirit Airlines and claimed there was a possible bomb threat.
As reported by People, Robinson, who had been told at the gate that he needed to rebook his flight, called Spirit Airlines around 6:25 AM. He said he had information about someone planning to set off a bomb on flight 2145. He described this person, saying they would try to sneak the bomb past TSA checkpoints without being caught. His statement led to an immediate reaction from airport officials.
The threat set off a major security operation. Flight 2145, which had already left the gate and was moving toward the runway, was brought back to a secure area away from the terminal. All passengers and crew were safely taken off the plane and brought back to the terminal. Bomb-sniffing dogs and FBI agents were sent to carefully search the plane and the surrounding areas.
TSA calls bomb dogs to search plane after bomb threat
The thorough search found no explosives. While passengers were kept in the terminal and had to go through security screening again, the FBI started an investigation to find out who made the threatening call. Using phone records, investigators quickly linked the call to Robinson. He was arrested later that evening when he came back to the airport trying to board another flight to Los Angeles.
During questioning, Robinson confessed to making the false bomb threat, clearly stating that he hoped the delay would give him enough time to catch his original flight instead of having to rebook. This admission was recorded in a court document.
Robinson was then charged with knowingly spreading false information about an explosive, which is a serious federal crime. He appeared in federal court and was released on bail while waiting for his next court date on June 27.
The incident caused major problems for passengers. One passenger, Joci Moore, spoke to CBS News about the experience, explaining how the initial delay was followed by a three-hour wait on the plane before everyone was allowed off. Passengers were then held in the terminal for another two hours before they could get back on the cleared plane.
This incident mirrors a previous event where an American Airlines flight to India received a bomb threat, leading to an emergency diversion to Rome. Similarly, TikToker Daniel Larson faced federal charges after making a series of bomb threats targeting various institutions, including the White House.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan released a statement criticizing Robinson’s actions, “No American wants to hear the words ‘bomb’ and ‘airplane’ in the same sentence. Making this kind of threat undermines our collective sense of security and wastes valuable law enforcement resources.”
Similarly, the FBI Detroit Field Office’s Special Agent in Charge, Cheyvoryea Gibson, said, “Anyone who threatens to bomb an aircraft and endanger public safety will be swiftly investigated and brought to justice.”
