A jet pilot who threatened to crash into Walmart in Mississippi is now facing terror-related charges. The man is in custody and faces charges involving grand larceny and making terrorist threats.
“He is being charged with grand larceny and making terroristic threats. We do expect that the federal government will proceed with federal charges in the very near future,” Tupelo Police Chief John Quaka said at a press conference.
Cory Patterson had stolen a King Air twin-engine jet from Tupelo`s airport and flew it over the town for some hours, putting residents on edge before he eventually landed in a field. He was then arrested.
The Walmart in Tupelo was evacuated just after the pilot threatened to crash into the store.
The man had been an employee of Tupelo Aviation for ten years and was responsible for fuelling jets. He appeared to have some flight instructions but lacked a license.
He stole the jet on Saturday morning after fuelling it completely at the night before. He then made contact with 911 and threatened to crash the plane into a Walmart, prompting evacuation from the store and surrounding area.
He was eventually convinced to land the jet and got assistance from a private pilot because he had no landing experience.
Tupelo Police Department investigated the incident.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves praised officials for managing the incident with “extreme professionalism.”
Nobody was injured in this incident.
