North Carolinians, travelers react to the suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast

The Wilmington International Airport had flights grounded after the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon entered its airspace Saturday.

The balloon was shot down around 2:40 p.m. and debris from the balloon fell into the Atlantic Ocean.

Pete Mishler, who owns the Sands Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, captured the moment aircraft shot down the balloon.

"We were just making jokes like everybody else," Mishler said. "It was crazy to see. You don't see that sort of thing everyday, but it was an experience."

The balloon was spotted throughout North Carolina before it was shot down, including the Asheville and Charlotte areas.

One man, Albert Proppey, flew in from Germany and had been following the story since it was spotted in Montana.

"[I was] curious because of my personality," Proppey said. "But, I think worried more because we should also think about the welfare of other people."

Wilmington International resumed regular operations after 3 p.m. Saturday.

North Carolina politicians released statements regarding President Joe Biden's handling of the balloon.

"It should have been brought down days ago," tweeted Senator Thom Tillis, Republican senator representing the state.

Senator Tedd Budd also weighed in on Twitter, saying "The Biden administration owes the American people a full explanation."

President Biden spoke to reporters Saturday afternoon after the ballon was taken down, saying he gave the order on Wednesday to shoot it down.

"I ordered the U.S. Military to shoot it down when it was safe," said President Biden. "They decided it was safest to do it when it got over water."

Sunset Beach police said its possible that some of the ballon's debris may wash ashore in the North Carolina area. They are warning people to not pick it up and leave it to government leaders.