US citizen hijacks plane in Belize, shot dead mid-air by fellow passenger

A US citizen armed with a knife tried to hijack a small Tropic Air plane in Belize on Thursday, injuring three people before being shot dead by a fellow passenger, news agency AP reported citing officials.

The attack occurred mid-flight on a plane heading to San Pedro, when the 49-year-old suspect began attacking passengers.

The assailant was identified as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a US citizen. Belize’s Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, praised the passenger who intervened and shot Taylor, calling them a “hero.”

“We are praying for him,” Williams told reporters. “He’s our hero.” Williams said that Taylor was demanding that he be flown out of the country and at one point wanted the plane to land to add fuel. US Embassy spokesperson Luke Martin in Belize said Taylor insisted he be taken to the US.

US officials did not know the cause or motive but were working with Belizean authorities to determine what happened, Martin said.

Authorities are unsure how Taylor got the knife onto the plane. Belize officials have contacted the US Embassy for help with the investigation.

The plane was flying from Corozal to San Pedro when the hijacking happened around 8:30 am local time, prompting Belize authorities to declare a full emergency, according to the Belize Airport Concession Company.

The aircraft flew in random directions for hours before safely landing in Ladyville. All passengers were accounted for, and the injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

Police Commissioner Williams said the suspect, Taylor, had earlier tried to enter Belize from Mexico through the northern border but was denied entry. How he eventually got into the country remains unclear.