Menenzes II: "Textbook" Killing

“The first time I heard the word bomb was when I was interviewed by the FBI. They kept asking if I heard him say the B-word. And I said, ‘What is the B-word?’ And they were like, ‘Bomb.’ I said no. They said, ‘Are you sure?’ And I am. This was wrong. This man should be with his family for Christmas. Now he's dead.”

Passenger John Mcalhany, statement to Associated Press, December 8, 2005.

“[Alpizars’ wife said] ‘My husband is sick. I've got to get my bags.’ She was very apologetic. She was explaining to us as we sat there in the row. She felt it was her fault, that she had convinced him to get on board, that he wasn't ready.”

Mike Beshears, passenger.

Curt Anderson, “Witness: Passenger Agitated Before Shooting,” AP, 12/09/05

“Deadly force may be employed only when a federal agent has probable cause to believe there is an imminent threat of death or serious physical injury to himself, his partner or others. In this situation here, this was textbook.”

Dave Adams, a spokesman for the Federal Air Marshal Service.

“The bottom line is, we're trained to shoot to stop the threat. Hollywood has this perception that we are such marksmen we can shoot an arm or leg with accuracy. We can't. These guys were in a very tense situation. In their minds they had to believe this person was an imminent threat to themselves or the people on the plane.”

John Amat, vice president, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

“What if the officer had said, ‘I think this guy is full of it. I don't think he has anything,’ and that plane had been blown to smithereens. What would the second guessers be saying then?”

Jim Pasco, executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police.

“This is a reminder they are there and are protecting the passengers and that it is a seriously deadly business.”

David Stempler, president, Air Travelers Association.

Andrew Bridges, “When to Shoot Depends on What Threat Seen,” AP, 12/08/05.

“This shows that the program has worked beyond our expectations. This should send a message to a terrorist or anyone else who is considering disrupting an aircraft with a threat.” “Air marshals don't have time for counseling or interviewing passengers. They have to make split-second decisions based on the current threat.”

Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House transportation subcommittee on aviation.

Keith L. Alexander, “Shooting Is Defended But Gets Mixed Reviews,” Washington Post, 12/08/05.

“I don't think anyone wants to see it come to a situation like this. But these marshals appear to have acted in a way that's consistent with the extensive training that they have received.”

Scott McClellan, White House spokesman.

“He then appeared to be reaching into a carry-on bag, and the air marshals proceeded consistent with their training. Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the individual.”

Brian Doyle, spokesman, Department of Homeland Security.

“None of the other 113 passengers onboard were affected or were ever in any danger. This was an isolated incident.”

American Airlines, statement.

Abby Goodnough and Matthew L. Wald, “White House Says Air Marshals Acted Properly in Shooting,” New York Times, 12/08/05.

“The man was clearly intent on committing ‘suicide by cop.’ That's exactly what you want an air marshal to do, that's what they're trained to do.”

Scot Phelps, assoc. prof., emergency and disaster management, Metropolitan College, New York.

Jim Loney, “Passenger killed by air marshals,” Reuters, 12/08/05.