Authorities said that a pilot confronted the teenager who was holding two guns and demanding a plane in a southwest Arkansas airport. The boy had been threatening to shoot at people with his weapons.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department reported that police received reports about a disturbance around 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday local time at Signature Aviation. This business provides aviation services at Texarkana Regional Airport, Arkansas. According to the police and airport, a witness saw a teen armed with a handgun as well as an AR-style rifle enter the airport on the general aviation side.
Police said that the teen demanded a plane while he was waving the two guns. Police said that the witness fled and alerted other witnesses.
Police said that a pilot from a private local business confronted him after he left the store. Police said that the pilot pulled a gun from his truck, and then “began to order the suspect down.”
During the confrontation, the teenager, who was disarmed, complied, according to police. Officers later arrived at the scene and took the teen into custody.
In a press release, police said that they “applauded the heroic act of the local pilot.” The fact that the incident was handled quickly and peacefully despite the dangers involved is commendable.
According to the police, the teen whose identity was not revealed was arrested for aggravated assault, attempted aggravated theft, and terrorist threats in the first degree. After his arrest, he was transferred to a juvenile detention facility in Arkansas.
Airport Promises to Improve Security System After Incident
Texarkana Regional Airport announced that it is open and secure and no injuries were reported during the incident.
The airport issued a statement saying, “Thanks to the Signature FBO and local pilot, the suspect was quickly subdued without any injuries. We thank all of them for their quick action and their contribution to keeping our community safe.”
Airport director Paul Mehrlich told KSLA News 12 local television that the airport has safety measures but they “will improve systems”.
Mehrlich said to the television station, “We feel it worked in the way it was supposed to work, but of course, every time you have an event like this, we always find ways to improve, to make it faster.” If you can save 10 to 15 seconds, it can lead to more lives being saved in the future.
The Texarkana Regional Airport is the primary airport for the twin cities of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas. In 2019, the Texarkana Gazette reported that a man allegedly tried to steal a plane to see a concert in Illinois and was arrested after he was found sitting in the pilot’s seat in the cockpit.
