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US hijacker fatally shot, three injured

1 min read

BELMOPAN, Belize, Apr. 17, CMC-  Three passengers were injured after a U.S. citizen allegedly hijacked a small plane at knifepoint  on Thursday .

The police report that Akinyela Sawa Taylor, hijacked a plane with 13 other passengers on board.  

Taylor, who was a passenger hijacked the carrier, shortly before takeoff. He said he  wanted to be taken out of the country and demanded more fuel for the plane. 

The hijacker was fatally shot in the chest by a passenger who had a licensed firearm. 

It’s further reported that the aircraft was circling and almost ran out of fuel by the time it landed.Three passengers, all from Belize, were injured with knife wounds. 

The flight had 14 passengers total on board, including two Americans.

According to the police, they  were in contact with a passenger on the plane who was sending updates via text.

They also said it is not yet clear how the hijacker was able to get on the plane with a knife,.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has been contacted and will help the police with the investigation.

The suspect was refused entry to the country over the weekend and officials are investigating how he was able to get in.

CMC/bl/kb/2025