ORLANDO – A nearly three-hour standoff with police at the Orlando International Airport was caused by a mentally distressed former Marine. He possessed a replica handgun (pictured) in an attempt of a “suicide by cop,” authorities said.

No one was hurt and no shots were fired before Michael Wayne Pettigrew, 26, surrendered to crisis negotiators.

Orland Police Chief John Mina said hundreds officers responded into the airport’s car rental area Tuesday night. Pettigrew was seen waving what looked like a real gun at officers and himself.

“When the officers got there, they realized this was a person in mental distress and wanted to do the whole ‘suicide by cop’ thing,” Mina said, FOX 35 Orlando reported.

Part of the airport was evacuated. As a result of the standoff, there was confusion and anxiety among travelers.

Glorializ Colon Plaza, 20, told the Orlando Sentinel she was just getting off work from Virgin Atlantic airlines when she saw everyone hiding. She got off the elevator and saw the man on the floor near the rental car area. He was screaming, while police had surrounded him.

“I couldn’t make out the words, but he was screaming really loud,” she said. “Everyone there told me right before this happened a man said to everyone: `You’re going to need mental therapy after this,’ then he pulled out a gun and everyone ran.”

Plaza said she didn’t hear gunshots or see anyone injured.

“I saw all the cops with the long rifles and started shaking,” she said. “It didn’t seem real.”

Pettigrew was being held for a mental evaluation and faces aggravated assault charges.

(Photo courtesy Orlando Police Department)