Situation Remains "Confusing" At This Time
ANN Real-Time
Update, 1721 EST, 12.07.05: The passenger killed by
Federal Air Marshals has been identified as 44 year-old Rigoberto
Alpizar.
ANN Real-Time Update, 1522 EST, 12.07.05:
According to sources quoting TSA, this is the first time that a
Federal Air Marshal has discharged their weapon onboard an aircraft
since 9/11. The suspect, now confirmed dead, is reported to be
a 44 year-old American male.
ANN Real-Time Update, 1512 EST, 12.07.05: Local
(Miami) media reports now allege that the suspect in this incident
has been killed as a result of having been shot by security
personnel.
Unfortunately, so-called security expert and anti-aviation
personality, Charles Slepyan, is yet again pontificating on
aviation matters on Fox News. We're holding our breath and
hoping to avoid another hatchet job (as he did on a GA story some
time ago)... we shall see.
ANN Real-Time Update, 1506 EST, 12.07.05:
Details are now coming in at a furious pace. We now know the
following -- the B757 aircraft (file photo, below), American
Airlines #924, had recently flown in from Medellin, Columbia,
South America and was scheduled to depart for Orlando. All of
MIA's Concourse D has been evacuated/closed and the aircraft is
currently on station at Gate D-42. One person is confirmed as
wounded by a gunshot. According to TSA, a passenger claimed to have
a bomb within a carry-on bag, and when confronted, fled. Security
personnel gave chase and fired upon the suspect when they were
observed reaching into the bag.
ANN Reporting 1430 EST, 12.07.05: ANN is
monitoring a story in which shots were allegedly fired, for reasons
as yet unknown, by a Federal Air Marshal. According to a number of
sources, American Airlines Flight 924 was the scene of a shooting
incident. The aircraft is currently surrounded by law enforcement
personnel, is still attached to an airport jetway and the matter is
reportedly "under control."
There is no conformation as to whether the shooting was an
intentional act or an accidental discharge. There has been no
observed evacuation of wounded persons and nearby medical personnel
appear idle for the moment.
According to the
Federal Air Marshal Service, the mission of the Federal Air Marshal
Service is to be responsible for and protect air security and
promote public confidence in our nation's civil aviation system
through the effective deployment of Federal Air Marshals in order
to detect, deter and defeat hostile acts targeting US air carriers,
airports, passengers and crews.
Federal Air Marshals receive training at the William J. Hughes
Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The stringent
training program includes behavioral observation, intimidation
tactics and close quarters self-defense. In addition, Federal Air
Marshals are held to a higher standard for handgun accuracy than
officers of any other federal law enforcement agency.
At the time of this report, there does appear to be some ground
access to the aircraft and video of the scene shows front and rear
doors open and personnel standing on the entrance ramps to the ramp
without apparent agitation. Whatever has transpired does appear to
be over for the moment and ANN will offer further details as they
can be confirmed.