JACKSON, Miss. — A man who allegedly threatened a plane crash at a Mississippi Walmart on Sept. 3 has died in federal prison awaiting trial.
According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons released a statement that Cory Patterson, 29, was found inexpensive Monday at a federal prison in Miami. Patterson was in federal prison awaiting trial.
Lifesaving measures were initiated by staff but Patterson was pronounced dead by the emergency responders, according to the statement obtained by the AP. No other inmates or staff were injured. Patterson reportedly arrived at the Miami prison on Nov. 10.
According to WHBQ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service were notified.
According to WHBQ, Patterson allegedly hijacked a plane from his work at Tupelo Regional Airport on Sept. 3 and threatened to fly it into a Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi. Patterson later “crash-landed” the plane in northern Mississippi.
According to the AP, Patterson was arrested after he landed the plane on state charges of grand larceny and making terrorist threats. Patterson was arrested and indicted on Sept. 14 on federal charges, including the destruction of an aircraft and threats involving the destruction of aircraft, according to court records obtained by the AP.
A psychological evaluation was requested by Patterson’s attorney and a federal magistrate ordered it on Sept. 16, according to the AP.
According to court records obtained by the AP, federal court records included a handwritten note from Patterson that an FBI agent had testified that he allegedly found in the plane. The note reportedly said that Patterson was sick of living and thought if he had picked Walmart, it would be “quick and easy to evacuate,” and had no interest in hurting anyone.
According to court records obtained by the AP, Patterson allegedly called 911 during his flight and said he planned to crash the plane into a Walmart and warned the dispatcher to get the store evacuated. Eventually, negotiators with the police department were able to get Patterson to land the plane, but he allegedly claimed he didn’t know how.
According to the AP, a private pilot attempted to coach Patterson through the landing at Tupelo airport but ended up changing his mind last minute and continued to fly. However, he ended up landing by Ripley, Mississippi.
No further information has been released.
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