Around 10:30 a.m. (Central Time), the plane touched down close to Ashland, Mississippi. The police detained Patterson. “Grateful that no one was hurt and that the problem has been settled. “Thankful the situation has been resolved and that no one was injured. Thank you most of all to local, state, and federal law enforcement who managed this situation with extreme professionalism,” tweeted Gov. Reeves.
There have been allegations of a pilot threatening to deliberately crash his jet into a Walmart in Mississippi, prompting the evacuation of the business. When the pilot called 911 on Saturday, September 3, at around 5 a.m., Tupelo Police said they were informed of his intentions.
According to The Daily Journal, Cory Patterson stole a jet that looked like a King Air aircraft. He is thought to have worked at the Tupelo Regional Airport and graduated from Tupelo High School in 2011. He expressed regret in what appeared to be a farewell message to his family and friends in a Facebook post that was published Saturday morning. “Sorry everyone. Never actually wanted to hurt anyone. I love my parents and sister this isn’t your fault. Goodbye,” he wrote.
The store near Dodges and West Main streets is the target of the pilot, according to the police. “Until the location is given the all-clear, residents are requested to stay away. The danger zone is considerably bigger than even Tupelo because of the mobility of an aircraft of that kind, according to a statement from the agency. State Governor Tate Reeves also issued a statement to the public saying, “State law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation. All citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department,” in tweet.
State law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation. All citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department. https://t.co/hQ8GxcR8s0
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 3, 2022
Patterson was seen for hours flying the aircraft over Holly Springs National Forest and the adjacent areas at a low altitude. According to the police, they were able to stay in touch with him for the majority of his time in the air. Check out the updates from Governor Reeves below.
The plane over North MS is down. Thankful the situation has been resolved and that no one was injured. Thank you most of all to local, state, and federal law enforcement who managed this situation with extreme professionalism.
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 3, 2022