Quick Read
- Akinyela Sawa Taylor, 49, attempted to hijack a Tropic Air plane in Belize on April 17.
- Taylor was shot dead by a passenger after demanding the pilot fly to Mexico.
- Three passengers, including the pilot, were injured during the incident.
- Taylor, a military veteran and former football coach, had been denied entry into Belize earlier.
- The US Embassy is collaborating with Belizean authorities to investigate the case.
Who Was Akinyela Sawa Taylor?
Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a 49-year-old US citizen, was identified as the individual who attempted to hijack a Tropic Air plane in Belize on April 17, 2024. Taylor, a military veteran and former football coach at McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri, was reportedly denied entry into Belize over the weekend prior to the incident. According to Belize’s Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, Taylor had attempted to enter the country legally via the northern border but was refused by immigration officials.
The Hijacking Incident
The incident occurred on a Tropic Air flight traveling from Corozal to San Pedro. Taylor, armed with a knife, demanded the pilot take him out of Belize, possibly to Mexico. During the altercation, Taylor slashed several passengers, including Fitzgerald Brown and Jair Castañeda, who sustained serious injuries. The pilot, Howell Grange, was also injured. A passenger with a licensed firearm intervened, shooting Taylor in the chest. Taylor was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Response and Investigation
Belizean authorities declared a state of emergency at the Philip SW Goldson International Airport following the incident. The Cessna Caravan V3HIG circled the airport in a haphazard manner, nearly running out of fuel, before safely landing at an airport in Ladyville at 10:12 a.m. The US Embassy in Belize is collaborating with local police to investigate how Taylor managed to board the plane with a knife. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the incident as “horrifying” and expressed relief that it did not result in a mass casualty event.
Taylor’s Background
Taylor’s background as a military veteran and former football coach has raised questions about his motives. US Embassy spokesperson Luke Martin stated that Taylor had insisted on returning to the US, but the reasons remain unclear. Local news outlet News 5 Belize released Taylor’s passport image, further confirming his identity.
Heroic Intervention
The passenger who shot Taylor has been hailed as a hero by Belizean authorities. Commissioner Chester Williams praised the individual for their quick thinking in a high-risk situation. The injured passengers and pilot are receiving medical attention, with one passenger in critical condition due to a punctured lung.
Airline’s Statement
Tropic Air Belize CEO Maximillian Greif commended the pilot’s actions as “nothing short of heroic” and assured that the airline is providing all available support to the injured passengers. Greif emphasized that Tropic Air pilots undergo rigorous training to handle emergencies effectively.
Ongoing Questions
Authorities are still investigating how Taylor managed to bring a knife onto the plane and his exact motives for the hijacking. The incident has sparked discussions about airport security measures in Belize and the need for stricter protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.