US citizen killed after hijacking small plane in Belize, reports say

BELIZE CITY: A U.S. citizen hijacked a small Tropic Air plane in Belize on Thursday at knifepoint, injuring three other passengers before being shot and killed, ABC News reported.

ABC News, citing police, said the assailant wanted to be taken out of the country and demanded more fuel for the plane.

He was shot by a passenger on board who was carrying a licensed firearm, it said.


Police did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

According to ABC and other reports, the hijacker has been identified by authorities as U.S. citizen Akinyela Sawa Taylor. The plane was carrying 14 passengers, including Taylor and another American, ABC reported.

The plane landed back in Belize after circling during the hijacking, nearly running out of fuel, the reports said, citing police.

The U.S. Embassy in Belize did not immediately respond to a request for comment.