Mississippi
Here’s what we know about the Mississippi airport employee accused of stealing a plane and threatening to crash into a Walmart
Cory Wayne Patterson — who shouldn’t be a licensed pilot — faces costs of grand larceny and making terroristic threats, in response to Tupelo Police Chief John Quaka. Patterson has pleaded not responsible.
His alleged actions over the weekend triggered chaos within the northern Mississippi metropolis, with authorities evacuating surrounding areas and shutting down Tupelo’s main streets. One girl even advised CNN she hid in her father-in-law’s basement.
On Saturday, at 5:08 a.m. native time, Patterson stole a Beechcraft King Air C90 twin engine plane and took off from Tupelo Regional Airport, Quaka mentioned.
At round 5:23 a.m., Patterson known as Lee County 911 from the plane and mentioned he was going to crash the aircraft into the West Foremost Walmart in Tupelo, Quaka mentioned. Quickly thereafter, the shop and surrounding areas have been evacuated. Quite a few main streets in Tupelo have been shut down as effectively, in response to the chief.
The Tupelo Walmart retailer was “closed and evacuated,” Charles Crowson, director of the Walmart Press Workplace, advised CNN earlier, whereas the aircraft was airborne.
Quaka mentioned negotiators from Tupelo Police contacted Patterson and satisfied him to land the aircraft at Tupelo airport. A non-public pilot assisted police in serving to Patterson, however upon closing strategy he aborted the touchdown and traveled northwest, Quaka mentioned. A number of counties have been notified of what was occurring, Quaka mentioned.
Greater than 4 hours later, Patterson made a Fb submit. “In essence, it mentioned goodbye. At this level, we knew he was getting near operating out of gasoline,” Quaka mentioned.
After police misplaced after which re-established radar contact with the aircraft, Patterson confirmed he had landed in a subject, in response to the chief.
Quickly thereafter, Patterson was taken into custody. He was booked into the Lee County Detention Heart Saturday afternoon, jail information present.
Lawyer Anthony L. Farese advised CNN he was representing Patterson.
“Mr. Patterson is an effective younger man with no prison historical past. We have now begun our personal investigation into this matter and we imagine that Mr. Patterson has been laboring underneath some critical psychological misery that result in these occasions. We sit up for defending him on this matter and continuing appropriately,” Farese mentioned in an emailed assertion.
Patterson was denied bond Sunday in municipal courtroom, Farese mentioned.
On the time of the listening to, a public defender briefly represented Patterson and entered a not responsible plea, in response to Farese.
Patterson shouldn’t be a licensed pilot
It’s not believed that Patterson is a licensed pilot, in response to Quaka, however authorities do know he has some flight instruction.
Patterson, of Shannon, Mississippi, has been an worker with Tupelo Aviation for the previous 10 years, the chief mentioned. As a lineman, Quaka mentioned, Patterson is liable for fueling plane. The chief mentioned the aircraft was absolutely fueled the night time earlier than.
Federal authorities are investigating
Quaka mentioned he anticipated the federal authorities will proceed with federal costs in opposition to Patterson.
The Federal Aviation Administration mentioned it’s investigating the incident. The FBI subject workplace in Jackson, Mississippi, additionally was concerned within the incident response, a spokesperson mentioned.
CNN’s Pete Muntean, Theresa Waldrop, Raja Razek and Sharif Paget contributed to this report.