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.

FMI: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/fams/