Latest news with #TexarkanaRegionalAirport
USA Today
06-02-2025
- USA Today
Pilot stops armed teenager who demanded plane at Arkansas airport, police say
Pilot stops armed teenager who demanded plane at Arkansas airport, police say A teenage boy who brandished two firearms and demanded a plane at a southwestern Arkansas airport was arrested after being confronted by a local pilot, authorities said. Police received reports of a disturbance at Signature Aviation, a business that provides aviation services at the Texarkana Regional Airport in Arkansas, at around 7:35 a.m. local time on Tuesday, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department said. A witness saw the teen, armed with both a handgun and an AR-style rifle, enter the airport from the general aviation side, according to police and the airport. While brandishing the two firearms, the teen walked to the front counter and began demanding a plane, police said. The witness fled the scene and alerted others, police added. A pilot for a local private business then confronted the teenager after he exited the business, according to police. The pilot retrieved a firearm from his truck and "began ordering the suspect on the ground," police said. During the confrontation, the teenager, who was disarmed, complied, according to police. Officers later arrived at the scene and took the teen into custody. "The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department applauds the heroic act by the local pilot," police said in a statement. "The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable." The teen, whose name was not released, was arrested for aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery, and first-degree terrorist threatening, according to police. He was transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center after his arrest. Seattle airport collision: Parked Delta aircraft struck by Japan Airlines plane while it was taxiing, airport says Airport promises to improve security system after incident Following the incident, the Texarkana Regional Airport said it was open and secure, and that no one was injured during the incident. "Thankfully, between the actions of the Signature FBO staff and a local pilot (the suspect) was subdued quickly without any injuries," the airport said in a statement. "We thank everyone for their quick actions and doing their part to keep our community safe." Paul Mehrlich, the airport's director, told local television station KSLA News 12 that while the airport had safety measures, they "will find ways to improve our systems." 'And we feel it did work in the way it's supposed to, but of course, any time you have an incident like this, we find ways to improve it, make it faster," Mehrlich told the television station. "If you can shave 10 to 15 seconds off, that can mean more lives saved in the future." The Texarkana Regional Airport is the primary airport for the twin cities of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas. In 2019, the Texarkana Gazette reported that a man allegedly tried to steal a plane to see a concert in Illinois and was arrested after he was found sitting in the pilot's seat in the cockpit.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Armed teen demands plane at Arkansas airport before hero pilot stops him: Police
A young teenager brandishing a firearm demanded a plane at Arkansas Texarkana Regional Airport before he was disarmed by a pilot packing a gun on Tuesday, law enforcement authorities reported. The boy, 15, entered the airport shortly before 7:35 a.m. with both a handgun and an AR-style rifle, said authorities with the Texarkana Police Department in Arkansas. He walked up to an airline ticket counter and ordered workers to get him a plane, said officials. A witness who saw the exchange managed to flee the area and alerted others to what had happened. Some employee managed to back away, lock themselves in a safe room and called 911. The suspect, meanwhile, exited the building and began walking on the airfield. A pilot working for a private flight service at the airport who was made aware of the incident retrieved his own firearm from his truck, approached the suspect and ordered him down on the ground, according to police. The suspect complied. The pilot then disarmed him, and authorities quickly arrived to take the teen into custody, police reported. No one was injured in the confrontation. The juvenile suspect faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery and terroristic threatening. He was transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center. A district attorney will later decide on formal charges. Police did not identify the suspect, as is common in cases involving minors. 'The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department applauds the heroic act by the local pilot,' said a police statement. 'The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable.' Airport Director Paul Mehrlich told KSLA-TV: 'We want everybody to know the airport is safe and secure and flights will be going out as usual.' He added: 'We are thankful that there were no injuries, no lives lost, but it really was through the actions of this pilot and the staff at Signature Aviation that their actions saved lives.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- The Independent
Armed teen demands plane at airport before hero pilot stops him: Police
A young teenager brandishing a firearm demanded a plane at Arkansas Texarkana Regional Airport before he was disarmed by a pilot packing a gun on Tuesday, law enforcement authorities reported. The boy, 15, entered the airport shortly before 7:35 a.m. with both a handgun and an AR-style rifle, said authorities with the Texarkana Police Department in Arkansas. He walked up to an airline ticket counter and ordered workers to get him a plane, said officials. A witness who saw the exchange managed to flee the area and alerted others to what had happened. Some employee managed to back away, lock themselves in a safe room and called 911. The suspect, meanwhile, exited the building and began walking on the airfield. A pilot working for a private flight service at the airport who was made aware of the incident retrieved his own firearm from his truck, approached the suspect and ordered him down on the ground, according to police. The suspect complied. The pilot then disarmed him, and authorities quickly arrived to take the teen into custody, police reported. No one was injured in the confrontation. The juvenile suspect faces charges of aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery and terroristic threatening. He was transferred to an Arkansas juvenile detention center. A district attorney will later decide on formal charges. Police did not identify the suspect, as is common in cases involving minors. 'The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department applauds the heroic act by the local pilot,' said a police statement. 'The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable.' Airport Director Paul Mehrlich told KSLA-TV: 'We want everybody to know the airport is safe and secure and flights will be going out as usual.' He added: 'We are thankful that there were no injuries, no lives lost, but it really was through the actions of this pilot and the staff at Signature Aviation that their actions saved lives.'
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
AR-Wielding 15-Year-Old Tries To Joyride A Private Jet
Joyriding is already a dangerous thrill-seeking pastime. No one wants an untrained pilot taking a small jet into the skies with no planned destination. A 15-year-old attempted to steal a plane in Texarkana, Arkansas on Tuesday by walking into a private terminal and placing a handgun on the front counter. The teenage boy, also armed with an AR-style rifle, demanded an aircraft from staff at a Signature Aviation FBO. A staff member at the private terminal agreed to help, using the opportunity to flee into a back office and call 911. This is when the armed teenager forced his way through a door out onto the tarmac at Texarkana Regional Airport, the New York Times reports. A private pilot spotted the teen, grabbed his own gun and ordered the teen to get on the ground. He thankfully compiled. Minutes later, officers from the Texarkana Police Department arrived at the scene and arrested the boy before transferring him to a juvenile detention center. He's not facing charges of aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery and terroristic threatening in the first degree. Airport director Paul Mehrlich told KSLA: 'And we feel it did work in the way it's supposed to, but of course, any time you have an incident like this, we find ways to improve it, make it faster. If you can shave 10 to 15 seconds off, that can mean more lives saved in the future. We will find ways to improve our system, but we are very proud that today nobody was hurt.' This isn't the first time that a teenager has decided that cars aren't exciting enough to joyride. Last September, two teens in New York City stole an unoccupied subway train. They crashed almost immediately into another parked train. Despite fleeing the scene, the police identified them using surveillance footage and arrested them both. It arguably would've been safer to just steal someone's car keys. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Cedar News
04-02-2025
- Cedar News
Armed Juvenile Subdued at Texarkana Regional Airport After Demanding Plane
Join our Telegram ARKANSAS: Minor arrested after entering Texarkana Regional Airport with an AR-style rifle, demanding an airplane. In a tense morning at Texarkana Regional Airport, a juvenile armed with an AR-15 rifle entered the facility around 7:30 a.m., demanding an airplane. According to reports, the situation was swiftly contained by quick-thinking airport staff and a local pilot, preventing what could have escalated into a dangerous scenario. The incident unfolded on the general aviation side near the Signature Hangar, where the armed teenager approached employees, making his demand for an aircraft. Airport employees, following safety protocols, managed to secure themselves in a safe location and alerted authorities by calling 911. A pilot for a local private business, witnessing the unfolding event, took decisive action. Armed with his own firearm, he confronted the juvenile, ordering him to the ground. The teenager complied, was disarmed, and subsequently taken into custody by the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department. No injuries were reported during the ordeal, and the airport was temporarily locked down as a precaution. The airport has since resumed normal operations, ensuring that the facility is secure. Authorities confirmed that another firearm was discovered in a vehicle associated with the incident, highlighting the potential severity of the situation. The identity of the juvenile has not been disclosed due to age, but officials have stated that there is currently no ongoing threat to the public.
