Airplane pilot in Mississippi threatens to “intentionally” crash his plane into a Walmart store.
A statement from the Tupelo Police Department (TPD) says that around 5:00 local time (11:00 UK time) they were notified in an emergency call to 911 that a pilot was making threat
The plane is believed to be a King Air propeller type.
Officers have attempted to clear the area and speak to the pilot, who is said to have been flying low over the scene since then.
The local Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported that the plane is believed to have moved to an area near a Toyota factory in nearby Blue Springs, a situation that appears to be confirmed by images from flight-tracking websites.
Police said in the statement: “On 09-03-2022 at approximately 05:00, TPD received a notification that a pilot of an aircraft (possibly a King Air) was flying over Tupelo. The pilot contacted the E911 and threatening to do so intentionally crash at 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 possible. TPD has also been able to begin speaking with the pilot directly.
“At the moment the situation continues with the TPD and all the emergency services in our area on alert.
Image: A Flightaware image showing the plane’s trajectory near Tupelo (TUP). Image: Flightaware.com
“Citizens are asked to avoid this area until all light is given. With the mobility of an aircraft of this type the danger zone is much larger than even Tupelo.”
State Gov. Tate Reeves said authorities were monitoring the situation.
He said on Twitter: “State law enforcement and emergency managers are monitoring this dangerous situation. All citizens should be alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department.”