US Air Force veteran makes midair threat; triggers emergency landing

Taj Malik Taylor, 27, was aboard Allegiant Air Flight 1023 out of St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Florida to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Virginia with 177 passengers and six crew members late Sunday afternoon when he made the terrifying comments, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Less than an hour into the flight, Taylor allegedly told his seatmate, “I have a bomb,” at least two times.

The incident occurred on Allegiant air flight 1023, which had departed St Pete–Clearwater international airport in Florida and was headed to Roanoke–Blacksburg regional airport in Virginia, with 177 passengers and six crew members on board.

According to the New York post, citing the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the situation unfolded less than an hour after take-off on Sunday afternoon, when the accused, Taj Malik Taylor, allegedly told his seatmate twice, “I have a bomb.” When questioned, he pointed to his laptop and added, “My laptop is a bomb.”