TSA Finds Wolverine Style Claw Weapon at Seattle Airport

A routine security inspection at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington led Transportation Security Administration officers to discover an unusual claw-like bladed object that could not proceed beyond the checkpoint. The discovery occurred when officers examined X-ray images of a passenger's bag, prompting a closer inspection that confirmed the presence of a dangerous item, according to the TSA.

Officer Douglas Linn spotted the object's distinctive shape on the X-ray screen, while Officer Dennis Oishi conducted the subsequent bag search. The agency described the item as resembling a fictional claw weapon, and the incident was detailed in a report published on the TSA's website on October 27, 2026.

Linn described his reaction after seeing the object during the inspection.

"I saw three blades and distinct claw-like features," Officer Douglas Linn said. "I was amazed, and even more so when it came out of the bag. I have never seen anything like this during my two years at TSA."

Oishi, who was responsible for searching the passenger's belongings, confirmed that the bag contained the suspicious object. The passenger voluntarily removed it after officers asked about sharp items inside the bag.

Supervisory TSA Officer Ann Rhoades, who responded to the incident, said the discovery stood out even among unusual items encountered during airport screening.

"In my seven years with TSA, this is one of the most unusual items I have encountered. My first thought was, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and my second thought was, ‘Is this what I think it is?’" Supervisory TSA Officer Ann Rhoades said.

Rhoades also described the exchange between the officers and the passenger during the inspection.

"When Dennis asked the passenger if there was anything sharp in the bag, he said he wasn’t sure. Obviously, there was," Rhoades added.

Seattle TSA Federal Security Director Robert Spinden credited the officers' work with stopping the prohibited item from moving beyond the security checkpoint. He emphasized the importance of coordination and careful examination during passenger screening.

"Officers Linn and Oishi demonstrated the vigilance, teamwork and professionalism that define TSA’s mission every day," Robert Spinden, Seattle TSA's federal security director, said.

Spinden said the incident illustrated how security personnel's attention to detail can prevent prohibited objects from passing through airport checkpoints.

"Their actions prevented a prohibited item from moving beyond the checkpoint and reinforced the importance of careful screening, clear coordination and calm execution," Spinden continued.

He also expressed confidence in the officers' approach to their responsibilities.

"I’m proud of their attention to detail and their commitment to keeping the traveling public safe," Spinden said.

The Seattle discovery follows other incidents involving unusual objects found during airport screening. According to a TSA release published on September 24, officers at Watertown International Airport in upstate New York recently discovered a spent smoke grenade concealed inside an aerosol container in a passenger's carry-on bag.

In a separate case at Tampa International Airport, TSA officers found a 4-inch, double-edged knife concealed inside a flashlight shaped like a baseball bat, according to an agency report.

TSA Officer Andrew Carter identified the flashlight as unusual while examining a passenger's carry-on bag with an X-ray machine. He flagged the bag for additional inspection because the object's construction differed from what he normally encountered.

"The makeup and composition of the flashlight appeared unusual and outside what I typically expect, so I determined it required further examination," TSA Officer Andrew Carter said.

Supervisory TSA Officer Michael Slaughter then searched the bag and felt a mass beneath the lining. After opening the lining, he located the flashlight and noticed a line running along its shaft.

"That is when it detached from the flashlight, revealing a 4-inch, double-edged knife integrated into the handle," Slaughter said.