Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Plane Hijacking in Belize: American National Killed After Stabbing Pilot and Passengers
BELIZE CITY – A U.S. citizen hijacked a small aircraft in Belize this Thursday, assaulting two passengers and the pilot with a knife before a passenger fatally shot him, according to authorities in Belize and the United States. The Tropic Air plane subsequently landed without further incident.
Incident Details and Flight Path
The Tropic Air aircraft, carrying 14 passengers and two crew members, was en route from Corozal, a town near the Belize-Mexico border, to the popular tourist island of San Pedro when the hijacking occurred mid-flight.
For approximately two hours, the plane flew erratically as events unfolded. A Belizean police helicopter monitored the aircraft until it landed at an airport in Ladyville, a coastal community.
Emergency Response and Airline Statement
Belizean authorities initiated a full emergency response immediately following the onset of the incident, which began around 8:30 a.m. local time, stated the Belize Airport Concession Company.
Maximillian Greif, CEO of Tropic Air, commended the pilot’s actions, stating, “Faced with immense pressure, our pilot demonstrated exceptional bravery and composure, successfully guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were unequivocally heroic.”
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Victims and Investigation
The injured pilot and two wounded passengers received medical treatment at a local hospital, officials confirmed.
Tammy Bruce, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, addressed the incident during a press briefing in Washington, noting that officials were still gathering information to understand the sequence of events.
“It’s horrifying,” she commented. “We are grateful, I believe we all are, that this did not escalate into a mass casualty event considering there were over a dozen individuals aboard. We have some preliminary details, but significant information remains unknown.”
Hijacker Identified
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams identified the hijacker as Akinyela Taylor, alleging he was a U.S. military veteran. U.S. officials have not yet verified the claim regarding Taylor’s military service.
Passenger Intervention and Aftermath
Commissioner Williams detailed that one of the passengers who had been stabbed used his firearm to shoot Taylor, resulting in the hijacker’s death. The passenger, licensed to carry a weapon, surrendered it to law enforcement after the landing. This passenger sustained a stab wound to his back, causing a punctured lung, and remains in serious condition.
“Our prayers are with him,” Williams told reporters. “He is indeed our hero.”
Injured Identified
An unnamed Tropic Air official identified the injured crew member as Howell Grange. The two injured passengers were named as Fitzgerald Brown and Jair Castañeda; one of these passengers was the individual who shot the hijacker. Their nationalities are currently unconfirmed.
Hijacker’s Demands and Motive
According to Commissioner Williams, Taylor demanded to be flown out of Belize, possibly to Mexico, and at one point requested a landing to refuel the aircraft.
Luke Martin, U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Belize, added that Taylor also insisted on being flown to the United States.
“We are uncertain of his reasons for wanting to return to the United States,” Martin stated.
Ongoing Investigation
U.S. authorities stated they are unaware of Taylor’s motives for the hijacking but are collaborating with Belizean counterparts to investigate the incident and determine the full circumstances.