The pilot of a small airplane has threatened to crash the aircraft into a Walmart in Mississippi, police said. Authorities have evacuated the Walmart and a nearby convenience store in Tupelo because of the threat.
At around 5 a.m. on Saturday, the Tupelo Police Department was notified that the pilot of a small airplane contacted 911 and threatened to “intentionally crash into Walmart on West Main.”
The Tupelo Police Department said in a Facebook post that the threat is real and is a “dangerous situation.”
Members of the Tupelo Police Department have been in direct contact with the pilot.
“At this time the situation is ongoing with TPD and all Emergency Services in our area on alert,” the Tupelo Police Department said. “Citizens are asked to avoid that area until an all clear is given. With the mobility of an airplane of that type the danger zone is much larger than even Tupelo.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves wrote on Twitter, “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.”
FlightAware shows that the pilot is flying erratically.
The Daily Journal reported that the plane is a 1987 Beech C90A – which is a fixed wing, twin-engine aircraft with nine seats. The owner of the plane is allegedly Southeast Aviation out of Oxford, Mississippi.
The plane reportedly has a maximum fuel life of four hours.
According to the Daily Journal, “Multiple law enforcement, airport, and local authorities have identified the subject as Cory Patterson of Shannon.”
Leslie Criss – a magazine editor who lives in Tupelo – told The Associated Press, “I’ve never seen anything like this in this town. It’s a scary way to wake up on a Saturday morning.”
Video shows the airplane circling over Tupelo.
The Federal Aviation Administration told ABC News that they are aware of the situation and are coordinating with local law enforcement.
A spokesperson for the FBI’s Jackson field office said, “The FBI, in accordance with our state and local partners, are aware of the situation. This is an active and ongoing matter. We will provide additional information as we have it.”
An official with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety said that the Mississippi Bureau of Information is working to assist local and federal authorities.
This is a developing story and will be updated.