DUBLIN,Ireland April 18 — A dramatic mid-air hijacking of a domestic flight in Belize ended in tragedy and heroism on Thursday, after a U.S. national attempted to seize control of a passenger plane before being fatally shot by one of the victims onboard.
According to Belizean and U.S. authorities, the suspect, identified as Akinyela Taylor, a U.S. citizen ,hijacked a Tropic Air flight bound for the island of San Pedro. The flight, which had departed from Corozal near the Mexico-Belize border, was carrying 14 passengers and two crew members when the violent incident unfolded.
Taylor, reportedly armed with a knife, stabbed the pilot and two passengers before one of the wounded passengers managed to shoot and kill him. The passenger, who sustained a critical stab wound to the back and suffered lung damage, was licensed to carry a firearm, Belize police said. The weapon was later surrendered to the authorities.
Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams hailed the passenger’s actions, calling him a “hero” who potentially saved the lives of all those on board. “We are praying for him,” Williams said. The passenger remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The aircraft remained airborne for nearly two hours, circling erratically as police helicopters tracked its movement. Eventually, the pilot — despite being injured — managed to land the plane safely at an airport in Ladyville, near Belize City. Officials lauded the pilot’s composure during the emergency.
“In the face of incomprehensible pressure, our pilot acted with extraordinary courage and calm, guiding the aircraft to a safe landing,” said Maximillian Greif, CEO of Tropic Air. “His actions were nothing short of heroic.”
The identities of the injured individuals were released by an airline official under anonymity as Howell Grange (crew member), Fitzgerald Brown, and Jair Castañeda — the two passengers injured during the hijacking. Their nationalities had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Authorities say Taylor had demanded that the plane be flown either to the United States or neighboring Mexico, and at one point requested to land for refueling. U.S. Embassy spokesperson Luke Martin said Taylor had insisted on being flown back to the United States, though the motive behind his actions remains unclear.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged the ongoing investigation during a briefing in Washington. “This was a horrifying incident,” she said. “We are thankful it didn’t become a mass casualty event.”
Belizean and U.S. authorities are continuing joint investigations to uncover the hijacker’s background and possible motives. Though Belize police said Taylor was a military veteran, U.S. officials have not yet confirmed that detail.
The incident has raised questions about aviation security and emergency response protocols on regional flights in Central America.
