FBI agents in training mistakenly detained a Delta Airlines pilot in Massachusetts on Tuesday evening, according to reports.
According to ABC-TV affiliate WCVB-5, the FBI agents in question handcuffed the pilot in the Revere Hotel in Boston for around 30 minutes until they realized their mistake.
“Sir, bear with me on this one. Can you swing by the Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart Street? Security called in saying 45 minutes ago, two Delta pilots had people claiming to be FBI Agents barge into their room and handcuff them to the bathroom. And they’ve since left and want to file a report now,” according to a Boston Police dispatcher.
An FBI spokesperson has since confirmed the incident and said that the agents participating in the exercise were mistakenly sent to the wrong room.
“We’d like to extend our deepest apologies to the individual who was affected by the training exercise,” said Lt. Col. Mike Burns of U.S. Army Special Operations Command. “The training was meant to enhance soldiers’ skills to operate in realistic and unfamiliar environments. The training team, unfortunately, entered the wrong room and detained an individual unaffiliated with the exercise.”
A Delta Airlines spokesperson said that the airline is investigating the incident and was looking to see if anyone else might have been mistakenly caught up in it.
“We are looking into reports of an alleged incident in Boston that may involve Delta people,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “We have nothing further to share at this time other than to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our people.”
As one might expect, the story received wild responses on social media, with netizens poking fun at the FBI.
“So they found the wrong ‘role playing’ guy in the room. Yet they detained this wrong guy for up to 45 minutes until they realized their mistake? Wouldn’t they realize the guy wasn’t one of theirs? This doesn’t pass the smell test. And army ops people involved?” another wondered.
Mayor Michele Wu also expressed her concerns but offered nothing else to help with the incident.
“It is just shocking and quite disturbing to learn that this had happened,” Wu said. “It’s surprising that a mistake was made that they went to the wrong room.”
