SEATAC, WA – Less than a day after a prisoner escaped custody during transport, travelers at SeaTac Airport remain on edge. The incident evokes memories of Hollywood’s “Con Air,” with many expressing concerns over the breach.
On Tuesday, the Washington State Department of Corrections was transferring 20-year-old John Nino from New Mexico to Seattle for violating parole related to a second-degree robbery conviction. Despite being shackled at the wrists, Nino managed to flee while crossing the sky bridge toward the light rail station.
Surveillance footage captured Nino sprinting through a parking garage, mysteriously free of his restraints. “It’s alarming,” said one traveler. “Someone clearly dropped the ball.”
The Department of Corrections admitted uncertainty about how Nino removed the shackles, emphasizing that standard protocols were observed. SeaTac Airport officials confirmed they played no role in the escape.
Nino had arrived on a commercial flight, shackled solely at the wrists—a common practice to avoid drawing attention, according to DOC officials. This latest escape marks the third at the airport this year. In May, Cedric Stevenson evaded capture for over six weeks after slipping away from a private transport agent. Another individual briefly escaped ICE custody in July.
Given the rarity of such incidents, community members are calling for changes. “Maybe they should use buses instead of planes to keep a closer watch,” suggested one observer.
Nino was eventually apprehended in King County while riding as a passenger in a car. Questions remain about the decision to shackle only his wrists, with the DOC citing standard procedures aimed at maintaining discretion during transport.
This string of escapes has raised concerns about security protocols, prompting discussions on potential improvements to prevent future incidents.