Officials in Belize and the United States confirmed that a U.S. veteran who hijacked a small plane carrying passengers in Belize was shot dead on Thursday.
Police in Belize have identified Akinyela Tayler as the suspect after the Tropic Air Belize flight carrying 14 passengers, two crew members, and a pilot landed safely.
Chester Williams, Belize’s police commissioner, stated that Taylor used a knife to stab three passengers aboard the plane. These people were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Williams stated that Taylor had been shot by a licensed firearm-carrying passenger, whom he then turned over to the police. According to the police commissioner, the passenger who was stabbed remains in critical condition as he had been stabbed both in the back and the lungs.
Luke Martin, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in London, confirmed that Taylor is an American citizen. He stated that U.S. officials were unaware of the motive or cause, but they were working with Belizean police.
Maximillian Greif, CEO of Tropic Air, said in an announcement that a flight earlier today faced a severe and unprecedented emergency in flight. “Despite unimaginable pressure, our captain acted with courage and calmness, guiding the plane to a safe touchdown. His actions were nothing less than heroic.”
According to a Belize Airport Concession Company statement, the plane was travelling from Corozal, Belize, to San Pedro. Belize authorities declared an emergency following the hijacking, which occurred at 8:30 am local time.
The plane circled for hours in random directions before landing safely at an airport in Ladyville, a coastal town. According to the BACC, all passengers were present, and any injured were transported to the hospital.
