Media: US veteran fatally shot after hijacking plane in Belize Photo

A U.S. veteran was fatally shot after hijacking a small passenger plane in Belize on April 17, officials from both Belize and the United States have confirmed. 

The incident occurred aboard a Tropic Air flight, which was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members, Caliber.Az reports via CBS News.

The aircraft, which was en route from Corozal to San Pedro, safely landed at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville after circling for several hours, as authorities declared a full emergency.

The man responsible for the hijacking, identified as Akinyela Taylor, was fatally shot by a passenger who had a legal permit to carry a firearm. Taylor had reportedly brandished a knife and stabbed three passengers, all of whom were subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment. One of the injured, who was among those stabbed, remains in critical condition after sustaining wounds to the back and lungs.

Chester Williams, the Police Commissioner of Belize, confirmed the details, stating that the situation unfolded in the morning at around 8:30 a.m. local time. He commended the quick actions of the armed passenger who subdued Taylor.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed Taylor’s nationality but stated that the motive behind the hijacking remains unclear. U.S. officials are coordinating with their Belizean counterparts as the investigation continues.

Tropic Air CEO Maximillian Greif praised the airline’s pilot for displaying remarkable composure during the crisis. "In the face of incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing. His actions were nothing short of heroic," Greif said in a statement.

By Aghakazim Guliyev