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A plane which had been circling a Northeast Mississippi town since early morning, with the pilot threatening to intentionally crash into a Wal-Mart store, has landed in a field with the pilot taken into custody.
A reporter via local news WTVA has recorded a video of the crashed plane in a field in Northeast Mississippi.
NPR and PBS reporter Ian Saint said the plane flying over Northeast Mississippi is piloted by Cory Patterson.
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal has also confirmed that “multiple law enforcement, airport, and local authorities have identified the subject as Cory Patterson of Shannon.”
An alleged Facebook post from Patterson said:
“Sorry everyone. Never actually wanted to hurt anyone. I love my parents and sister this isn’t your fault. Goodbye.”
According to local news WTVA, the Tupelo Police Department received reports about a pilot of an airplane (possibly King Air type) circling above Tupelo. The pilot contacted 911 and threatened to crash the plane into a Wal-Mart on West Main.
“TPD has worked with Wal-Mart West and Dodges on West Main to evacuate the stores and disperse people as much as practical. TPD also has been able to begin talking with the pilot directly,” WTVA said.
Video of the plane had surfaced on social media.
@BronsonWTVA not sure what's going on, but this plane has been flying in circles for 45 minutes around Tupelo. pic.twitter.com/agE5MpWPt1
— Nick Nichols (@Nickfivecents) September 3, 2022
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves earlier said law enforcement and emergency managers are “closely tracking this dangerous situation.”