Officials: Man Caught With Loaded AR-15, Concealed Knives Outside Palm Beach Int’l Airport

Items found in a car parked in a restricted area at Palm Beach International Airport, Aug. 5, 2025. (Credit: PBSO)

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that a man had been caught outside the facility with a loaded AR-15 rifle and a number of knives in a rental car.

According to spokeswoman Theresa Barbera, Airport Operations personnel notified PBSO deputies of a suspicious male seen outside a dark-colored vehicle that was parked within a restricted area at the airport. When deputies arrived, they observed the individual standing outside the vehicle getting dressed, the statement from Barbera said. During the encounter, deputies learned the vehicle was a rental.

“When deputies opened the glove compartment to retrieve the rental agreement, they discovered a fully loaded AR-15 magazine inside,” the statement said. “A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded AR-15 rifle and multiple knives concealed under a blanket on the seat.”

The suspect was identified as Michael Rodrigues, 41, who was taken into custody without incident. He is currently being interviewed by detectives, and charges are forthcoming, the statement said.

Rodrigues’ photo was not available.