A hijacking incident in Belize involving a small plane bound for San Pedro took a dramatic turn when a passenger, identified as Akinyela Taylor, hijacked the aircraft and stabbed two passengers and the pilot. The Cessna Caravan was circling erratically for nearly two hours before landing in Ladyville, where the hijacker was shot and killed by one of the wounded passengers who was licensed to carry a firearm. The pilot and injured passengers were promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. The CEO of Tropic Air praised the pilot for his courageous actions during the crisis, calling them heroic.

Authorities declared a full emergency as the situation unfolded, with US officials describing it as “horrifying.” The Belize police commissioner confirmed Taylor’s identity as a US military veteran, though this detail was not officially confirmed by US authorities. Taylor reportedly demanded to be flown out of the country, expressing a desire to go to Mexico or back to the United States.

The motive behind Taylor’s hijacking remains unclear, and US officials are collaborating with Belizean authorities to investigate the incident further. Despite the harrowing ordeal, the bravery and swift action of the armed passenger were commended by officials, with the injured passenger hailed as a hero for his role in stopping the hijacker.