Reuters
A domestic flight in Belize was the scene of a dramatic mid-air hijacking on Thursday when a U.S. citizen armed with a knife attempted to divert the aircraft. The hijacker, later identified as Akinyela Sawa Taylor, reportedly tried to force the pilot to fly the plane out of the country but was ultimately shot and killed by a fellow passenger.
According to Belizean authorities, the small Tropic Air plane had departed from Corozal, near the Mexican border, and was en route to the island destination of San Pedro when the incident occurred. The aircraft was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members.
Taylor allegedly attacked three individuals on board, including the pilot and a passenger who intervened with a licensed firearm. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that the armed passenger managed to shoot Taylor but sustained serious injuries, including a stab wound to the back and a punctured lung. He remains in critical condition.
During the altercation, the pilot circled the plane for nearly two hours before managing a safe landing. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Commissioner Williams praised the passenger’s bravery, calling him “a hero,” and expressed hope for his recovery. He also acknowledged concerns about the lack of thorough security screenings at smaller airstrips, which may have allowed the attacker to board with a weapon.
In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the incident as “horrifying” and noted that authorities are still gathering details. “We are all thankful that this did not result in greater loss of life,” she added.
Investigations are ongoing into how the hijacker bypassed security and whether there were any prior indications of a threat.
