An airport employee stole a plane today in Tupelo, Mississippi, and is threatening to crash it into the local Walmart.
JUST IN 🚨 Pilot over Tupelo, Mississippi is threatening to crash plane into Walmart pic.twitter.com/7vxxNNYmYL
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 3, 2022
The pilot of the stolen plane has been identified.
NPR and PBS reporter Ian Saint said the rogue plane flying over Northeast Mississippi is piloted by Cory Patterson.
https://twitter.com/iansaint_/status/1566078008741560322?s=20&t=686N8oUZV6F_etrcxyHMFg
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal has also confirmed that "multiple law enforcement, airport, and local authorities have identified the subject as Cory Patterson of Shannon."
BREAKING: Multiple law enforcement, airport and local authorities have identified the subject as Cory Patterson of Shannon. https://t.co/HZddmyr76t
— Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (@DJournalnow) September 3, 2022
An alleged Facebook post from Patterson said:
"Sorry everyone. Never actually wanted to hurt anyone. I love my parents and sister this isn't your fault. Goodbye."
Flight track data shows Patterson flying in the northern part of the state.
"State law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation. All citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department," Governor Tate Reeves tweeted.
State law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation. All citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department. https://t.co/hQ8GxcR8s0
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 3, 2022
Zero Hedge noted:
A plane has been circling a Northeast Mississippi town since early morning. The pilot is threatening to intentionally crash into a Wal-Mart store.
According to local news WTVA, the Tupelo Police Department received reports about a pilot of an airplane (possibly King Air type) circling above Tupelo. The pilot contacted 911 and threatened to crash the plane into a Wal-Mart on West Main.
"TPD has worked with Wal-Mart West and Dodges on West Main to evacuate the stores and disperse people as much as practical. TPD also has been able to begin talking with the pilot directly," WTVA said.
UPDATE:
The plane is down and the pilot is in police custody.Â
"The plane over North MS is down. Thankful the situation has been resolved and that no one was injured. Thank you most of all to local, state, and federal law enforcement who managed this situation with extreme professionalism," Governor Tate Reeves tweeted.
The plane over North MS is down. Thankful the situation has been resolved and that no one was injured. Thank you most of all to local, state, and federal law enforcement who managed this situation with extreme professionalism.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 3, 2022
BREAKING: A small plane is down and its pilot is in police custody after threatening to intentionally crash into a Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi, Benton County Sheriff’s office told to @ABC News. https://t.co/squOQDMwFw
— ABC News (@ABC) September 3, 2022
ABC News reported:
A small plane is down and its pilot is in police custody after threatening to intentionally crash into a Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi, Benton County Sheriff’s office confirmed to ABC News Saturday.
Earlier Saturday morning, according to Flight tracker flightradar24, it appeared the plane had crashed in or near Curtis Lake about 5 miles north of Gravestown, Mississippi. Over 300,000 people were watching it on flightradar24 when it disappeared.
Police have not yet confirmed if the plane had crashed.
The Tupelo Police Department was notified that a pilot of an airplane, possibly a King Air type, was flying over Tupelo at around 5 a.m. local time. The pilot made contact with E911 and was threatening to crash intentionally, according to a statement from police.
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