Domestic Policy

Air Marshal Thwarts Potential Airline Bomb Threat - Rigoberto Alpizar

December 7, 2005 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

Ironic, that on Pearl Harbor Day we are addressed with a potential terrorist bombing issue. However, today a potential tragedy was averted by the actions of an alert U.S. Air Marshal. Regardless of how real the threat was, it was very reassuring to know that the air marshals were up to the task of protecting American airways. This is believed to be the first time a U.S. Air Marshal has fired his weapon in relation to a potential terrorist, or hostage, situation.

As America received its terrible 9-11 report card Tuesday, it is reassuring to know this unique program is in place an functioning as it was meant to do.

This incident does show that although we feel safer and safer each day we must still be vigilant in the protection of our freedoms. Just when airline restrictions are eased in regards to carry-on items, we are reminded that maybe we should still keep a strict policy on airline travel.

As the Bush administration considers easing entry back into the United States we are also reminded that maybe we need to still do more to insure that our American citizens are safe inside the domestic United States regardless of where they are.

An official from the Department of Homeland Security has advised that an incident has occurred in regards to a potential bomber aboard an American Airlines flight.
American Airlines Flight 924 was on the ground in Miami on a stopover during a flight from Medellin, Colombia, to Orlando, Florida, when a man, now identified as Rigoberto Alpizar, said he was in possession of a bomb in his carry-on luggage. Department of Homeland Security official said.

It has been stated that Rigoberto Alpizar was approached and questioned by a team of U.S. federal air marshals. It appeared that Rigoberto was anxious and not cooperative, Rigoberto attempted to flee and the marshals pursued. They followed Rigoberto down the boarding bridge and ordered him to get on the ground.

When Alpizar appeared to reach into his luggage, the marshal’s shot and wounded him. The Homeland official providing early details stated that the marshals’ actions were consistent with their training and they performed exactly as they were trained to do.

Rigoberto Alpizar was supposedly traveling with a woman when he arrived in Miami on a plane coming in from Ecuador. Rigoberto and the woman were apparently arguing before getting off the plane in Miami.

Rigoberto got off his arriving plane in Miami and preceded to go through customs as normal travelers do; he then got on the Orlando bound plane and announced he was in possession of a bomb.

Air marshals approached Rigoberto and asked him to immediately exit the plane; Rigoberto complied and left the plane carrying his carry-on bag. When the marshals asked Rigoberto to put his bag down, he refused. It was at this point that Alpizar reportedly began to behave anxiously and appeared to start to approach the air marshals in a combative nature, the air marshals fired to stop the potential bomber. Rigoberto has died of his injuries incurred from the marshals.

As the story unfolds it will be interesting to see how the air safety policy system in place protected Americans, I applaud these brave men and woman who keep us safe, most of the time unbeknownst to us.
Man killed after bomb claim at airport

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