Las Vegas police say man accused of making terroristic threats on plane - Las Vegas Review-Journal

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   Man Arrested After Hijack Threat Forces United Flight Back to Las Vegas

   A 25-year-old man was arrested at Harry Reid International Airport after a text message threat to hijack a plane forced a United Airlines flight bound for Newark to turn around on Saturday night. Authorities booked the suspect on charges of making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism. The incident delayed 150 passengers overnight following the serious in-flight threat. Police reported that the suspect claimed he was only bantering with a coworker before the aircraft was forced to return.

   Why it matters

   Air traffic control audio revealed that the flight returned due to a threat to hijack the aircraft, triggering an emergency landing and a heavy security response. Such threats severely disrupt major airline operations, strand hundreds of passengers, and invoke immediate federal responses. The suspect subsequently entered a not-guilty plea following his arrest.

   What is confirmed

   • A United Airlines flight headed to Newark returned to Harry Reid International Airport Saturday night after a passenger disturbance and security concern.
   • A 25-year-old man was arrested at the airport after an alleged text threat to hijack the plane.
   • The suspect was charged with making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism.
   • The airline delayed 150 passengers overnight following the in-flight threat.
   • The suspect told police he was just bantering with a coworker.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Specific text message contents detailed chilling messages about taking over the aircraft.

   What to watch next

   • Court proceedings and potential federal charges for the 25-year-old suspect
   • Further statements from United Airlines regarding passenger accommodations and security protocols
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. FOX5 Vegas — United flight returns to Las Vegas over ‘potential security concern,’ officials say
   2. Fox News — Major airline delays 150 passengers overnight following serious in-flight threat
   3. Las Vegas Review-Journal — Las Vegas police say man accused of making terroristic threats on plane
   4. AP News — United flight turned around after report of passenger making a terroristic threat
   5. Yahoo — 'Hijack the aircraft': ATC calls reveal reason flight returned to Las Vegas
   6. KSNV — Man arrested at Harry Reid Airport after alleged text threat to hijack United jet
   7. New York Post — New details emerge after United ‘hijacking’ threat — as 25-year-old suspect’s chilling messages are revealed
   8. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Video Emergency landing after hijack scare on plane
   9. www.fox5vegas.com — Man accused of making terroristic threats on United flight ...
   10. www.fox5vegas.com — Report: Surveillance video showed teen opening fire at downtown Las Vegas bus station
   11. www.fox5vegas.com — Man accused of making threats on flight out of Las Vegas to ...
   12. www.yahoo.com — Flight rerouted after passenger threatened to hijack plane
   confidence 95%