US EditionNorad says it scrambled F-15 fighter jets during alleged B.C. plane hijacking
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, JUL 16 – The pilot’s actions caused a 39-minute shutdown of Vancouver International Airport and triggered a military response by U.S. and Canadian fighter jets, officials said.
- On Tuesday, July 16, Canadian police arrested 39-year-old Shaheer Cassim for hijacking a Cessna 172 at Victoria International Airport and flying it near Vancouver International Airport.
- The hijacking occurred shortly after Cassim's Monday Facebook message in which he declared himself a savior destined to protect humanity from climate change and bring about global peace.
- Cassim threatened a flight instructor, took off alone, circled Vancouver airport runways forcing nine planes to divert, and prompted NORAD to scramble U.S. and Canadian fighter jets.
- Sgt. Tammy Lobb stated that investigators concluded Cassim's actions were driven by a purpose related to ideological reasons aimed at interfering with airspace, and fortunately, no injuries resulted from the event.
- Cassim appeared in court Wednesday facing a hijacking charge, and the judge decided he should remain in custody until his next scheduled appearance on July 22.
61 Articles
61 Articles
Pilot with 'ideological motive' steals small aircraft and disrupts major international airport operations
A stolen Cessna 172 triggered a security incident at Vancouver International Airport, halting operations as nine flights were rerouted before police apprehended the pilot
Canada was hit by a bizarre security incident on Tuesday, when a 39-year-old man hijacked a small private plane, delaying more than a hundred scheduled arrivals, according to local police. The pilot was taken into custody and charged, with a trial set for next week.
Temple Daily Telegram
Canadian man charged with hijacking that caused security scare at Vancouver airport
A Canadian man has been charged with hijacking a small plane after he caused a security scare at Vancouver’s airport this week. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say Shaheer Cassim, 39, has been charged with hijacking, constituting terrorism, over the…
Man charged with hijacking small plane shut down a large airport for ideological reasons, police say
A Canadian man has been charged with hijacking a small plane this week and flying it over one of the busiest airports in Canada, prompting fears he would crash into something and causing flights to be delayed or grounded.
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