Overview

• Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a 49-year-old American, attempted to hijack a Tropic Air Cessna flight in Belize with a knife, demanding to be flown to the U.S.
• The hijacker wounded multiple passengers before being fatally shot by an armed passenger, who held a licensed firearm.
• The aircraft, carrying 14 occupants, nearly ran out of fuel while circling above Belize City before making an emergency landing.
• Belizean authorities have launched a formal investigation and implemented stricter security protocols across all airports.
• The U.S. Embassy expressed regret over the incident and confirmed no prior contact with the hijacker, emphasizing the importance of regional safety.