Transcript for Man with fake gun causes standoff at Orlando airport

Now to chaos at Orlando international airport overnight. Police say a pan pulled out what appeared to be a real gun and pointed it at officers. Negotiators worked for hours to calm him down and ABC's David Kerley has the story. Good morning to you, David. Reporter: Michael, on these days of heightened security concerns over terrorism, a man, a gun and an airport all causes alarm. The man with what appears to be a gun overnight starts a nearly three-hour standoff at the Orlando international airport. Hundreds of police officers descending at an airport rental car lot. Quickly get out of there. Reporter: They cordoned the suspect as officers seen in this YouTube video crouch behind pillars evacuating civilians and quickly realize the suspect is attempting a suicide by cop. The subject made several comments, pointed the firearm at officers, said shoot me, shoot me. Actually pointed the gun at his head imploring the officers to shoot him. Reporter: Police say the suspect, 26-year-old Michael Pettigrew is a former marine. Officers were able to get him to drop the weapon. From that point he was in this area. He laid down on the ground with the gun very close by. It was a simulated firearm. The gun was not real. Reporter: Police were worried because that gun was so close to the suspect, that's why it took so long. The suspect taken for mental evaluation and the airport says this incident did not affect travel and operations at Orlando. All right, thank you, David Kerley. Glad they were able to defuse that situation, Amy.

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