An American military veteran was shot and killed after hijacking a small passenger plane in Belize on Thursday, according to officials from both Belize and the United States. The aircraft, operated by Tropic Air and carrying 14 passengers along with two crew members, landed safely. Belizean authorities identified the hijacker as Akinyela Taylor.

Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that Taylor attacked two passengers and a pilot with a knife during the hijacking. All three victims were hospitalized for their injuries. Taylor was ultimately shot by one of the passengers who was legally carrying a firearm. That passenger, who was also stabbed during the incident, remains in critical condition with injuries to the back and lungs. Williams referred to him as a hero and expressed hope for his recovery.

During the hijacking, Taylor reportedly demanded that the plane fly him out of Belize, with the intention of reaching the United States. At one point, he even requested the aircraft land to refuel. Luke Martin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Belize, said that Taylor was insistent on being flown to the U.S., but the motive behind his actions remains unclear. U.S. authorities are now working with Belizean officials to investigate the situation.

The flight was en route from Corozal to San Pedro when the hijacking occurred around 8:30 a.m. local time. The Belize Airport Concession Company (BACC) declared a full emergency, noting that the plane flew erratically for several hours before landing safely in Ladyville, a coastal town. All passengers were accounted for, and the injured were airlifted to a hospital. Commissioner Williams also mentioned that Taylor had previously been denied entry into Belize at the northern border with Mexico, though it's unclear how he later managed to enter the country.

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