US Man Hijacks Small Plane in Belize, Stabbing 3 Before Being Fatally Shot
A shocking incident unfolded at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize on Thursday, as a US man hijacked a small plane, stabbing three people, including two passengers and the pilot, before being fatally shot by one of the stabbed passengers.
According to authorities at the airport, the hijacker, identified as Akinyela Taylor, a US military veteran, according to Belize police commissioner Chester Williams, took control of the Cessna Caravan V3HIG flight from Corozal to San Pedro, which had 14 passengers and 2 crew members onboard.
As reported by Fox News, Williams told reporters that Taylor stabbed two passengers and the pilot, before one of the stabbed passengers, who was licensed to carry a firearm, fatally shot him. The passenger later turned his weapon over to the police.
"We are praying for him," Williams said, referring to the passenger who shot Taylor. "He’s our hero."
The incident prompted a full emergency declaration, and the aircraft circled in random directions for approximately two hours before finally landing safely at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport.
The US State Department has confirmed that officials are working with Belizean authorities to determine the motive behind Taylor’s actions. "Horrifying," US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a news briefing in Washington. "We are grateful, I think all of us are, that it did not turn into a mass casualty event with, I believe, over a dozen people on the plane. Clearly we know a few details. We don’t know much more."
The Associated Press reported that US officials could not confirm Williams’ statement that Taylor was a military veteran.
The Fox News report stated that the passenger who shot Taylor was licensed to carry a firearm and had turned it over to the police.
The incident has raised concerns about aviation security and the potential for individuals to carry out violent acts on commercial flights.
As the investigation into the incident continues, officials are working to piece together the events leading up to the hijacking and determine the motive behind Taylor’s actions.
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a statement advising British nationals travelling to Belize to be aware of the situation and to follow local authorities’ instructions.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of air travel, and the need for continued cooperation between international authorities to prevent such incidents from occurring.
The Fox News report provided details of the incident, quoting officials and eyewitnesses, and providing context on the investigation.
(c) 2025 Fox News. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
