Felix the Cat
12-07-2005, 09:13 PM
(Evolution in action)
US man shot dead on Florida plane (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4508432.stm)
A passenger who claimed to have a bomb on board an American Airlines plane in Miami was shot dead by a US federal officer, government officials say.
The 44-year-old US citizen was shot by an air marshal when reaching into his bag after leaving the plane. Reports say no device has yet been found.
Flight 924 had just arrived from Colombia, and was headed to Orlando.
It is the first time since the attacks of 11 September 2001 that a US air marshal has shot at a passenger.
'Appropriate action'
A spokesman for the homeland security department said the passenger indicated during the flight that there was a bomb in a carry-on bag and upon landing immediately exited the aircraft through the walkway between the plane and the airport terminal.
Air marshals pursued and ordered the passenger to get down on the ground.
"The passenger then reached into his carry-on bag, at which point, consistent with air marshal training, the air marshals took the appropriate actions. Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the subject," the spokesman said.
A witness said that the man frantically ran down the aisle of the Boeing 757 and that a woman with him said he was mentally ill, the Reuters news agency reported.
Television images showed police and emergency response officers surrounding the plane after the incident.
US man shot dead on Florida plane (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4508432.stm)
A passenger who claimed to have a bomb on board an American Airlines plane in Miami was shot dead by a US federal officer, government officials say.
The 44-year-old US citizen was shot by an air marshal when reaching into his bag after leaving the plane. Reports say no device has yet been found.
Flight 924 had just arrived from Colombia, and was headed to Orlando.
It is the first time since the attacks of 11 September 2001 that a US air marshal has shot at a passenger.
'Appropriate action'
A spokesman for the homeland security department said the passenger indicated during the flight that there was a bomb in a carry-on bag and upon landing immediately exited the aircraft through the walkway between the plane and the airport terminal.
Air marshals pursued and ordered the passenger to get down on the ground.
"The passenger then reached into his carry-on bag, at which point, consistent with air marshal training, the air marshals took the appropriate actions. Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the subject," the spokesman said.
A witness said that the man frantically ran down the aisle of the Boeing 757 and that a woman with him said he was mentally ill, the Reuters news agency reported.
Television images showed police and emergency response officers surrounding the plane after the incident.