US citizen hijacks plane mid-air, passenger shoots him

A mid-air hijacking attempt aboard a Tropic Air flight from Corozal to San Pedro in Belize was thwarted in dramatic fashion when a passenger with a licensed firearm fatally shot the hijacker, who identified as a US citizen, according to reports.

The suspect, identified as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, reportedly hijacked the aircraft mid-flight with a knife. Authorities said Taylor had demanded that the flight be diverted out of the country and requested more fuel, prompting a crisis onboard.

The airline released a statement confirming the incident and describing it as a “serious and unprecedented in-flight emergency.”

The airline also praised the pilot for his “extraordinary courage and calm under pressure” and extended gratitude to the Prime Minister of Belize, the Department of Civil Aviation, law enforcement, and emergency medical responders for their swift assistance.

According to local police, the hijacking attempt occurred shortly before takeoff. As the situation unfolded in the air, a passenger carrying a licensed firearm intervened and shot the hijacker in the chest, resulting in his death. It remains unclear how the suspect managed to board the flight with a weapon, as investigations are ongoing.

Police said they were in communication with one of the passengers during the ordeal via text messages, receiving real-time updates as the incident progressed. The aircraft, which had been circling for an extended period, was reportedly running low on fuel by the time it managed to land safely.

Authorities continue to investigate the security breach and how the hijacker was able to board the flight armed with a knife. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.

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