A 15-year-old armed with an AR-style rifle barged into Texarkana Regional Airport in Arkansas, demanding a plane—but he didn’t get far. Thanks to the quick-thinking actions of a local pilot, the situation was swiftly brought under control before it could turn into a disaster.
As reported by The New York Post, authorities say the unidentified teenager entered Signature Aviation, a business at the airport, around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
With a rifle in hand and a handgun at his side, he approached the front counter and demanded access to an aircraft and the airfield. Witnesses say the teen chambered a round, prompting terrified staff members to flee to a back office, lock the door, and immediately call police.
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But while law enforcement was en route, a private pilot spotted the armed teen and took matters into his own hands. Recognizing the threat, the pilot ran to his truck, grabbed his own firearm, and confronted the would-be hijacker.
Officials say the pilot ordered the suspect to the ground, and the teen complied without further resistance. Texarkana police arrived soon after and took him into custody.
Upon searching a vehicle believed to belong to the suspect, officers discovered yet another firearm—a shotgun.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department praised the pilot’s heroic actions, saying in a statement:
“The fact that this incident was resolved quickly and peacefully, despite the extreme danger presented, is highly commendable.”
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The entire ordeal unfolded in about 10 minutes, according to airport director Paul Mehrlich.
“We are very thankful that there were no injuries, no lives lost, but really it was through the actions of this pilot and by the staff at Signature Aviation, that their actions saved lives.”
The teen, whose identity has not been released, was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, attempted aggravated robbery, and making terroristic threats. Authorities have not determined his motive, but he has been placed in a juvenile detention center.
In a time when criminals feel emboldened and law-abiding citizens are expected to just stand by, this incident is a powerful reminder of why the right to self-defense matters.
Had this armed pilot not been prepared, the situation could have taken a much darker turn. Instead, because a responsible gun owner was willing to act, lives were saved.
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