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Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Allegiant Air Flight Bomb Threat: Who is ‘Laptop Is Bomb' suspect? This US man suffers from...
An Allegiant Air flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Florida after a passenger claimed his laptop was a bomb. The incident disrupted airport operations and led to the man's arrest. Allegiant Air Flight Bomb Threat An Allegiant Air flight from Asheville, North Carolina to Punta Gorda, Florida was diverted on Sunday. The reason was a mid-air bomb threat. Passenger Taj Malik Taylor, 27, told someone on board that his laptop was a bomb. Flight 1023 was carrying many passengers. After the claim, a nearby passenger informed the flight crew. The airline contacted authorities. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office confirmed that several witnesses heard Taylor make the statement. Allegiant Air Flight Emergency Landing and Airport Lockdown The plane was redirected to St Pete-Clearwater International Airport. The flight had departed from there earlier. The aircraft landed without issues. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated. Law enforcement and bomb-sniffing dogs were already present when the plane landed. Operations at the airport were briefly suspended during the investigation. No explosives were found during the search. Live Events Also Read: Wolfspeed Stock Price Analysis and Forecast: Market performance, investor outlook, key drivers & risks and analyst insights FBI Leads Investigation, Suspect Detained The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now handling the case. Taylor was taken into custody without resistance. He is facing a felony charge for making a false bomb threat. The penalty includes up to five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. During questioning, Taylor showed his laptop to agents and repeated his earlier statement. He said, 'My laptop is a bomb,' according to reports. Airline Responds to Incident Allegiant Air apologised to affected passengers. The airline provided each traveler with a $100 travel voucher. A spokesperson said safety is their main concern. 'Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior,' the spokesperson added. The airline explained the decision to return to the airport was based on the need to ensure safety. Also Read: US Stock Markets Gainers Losers: Take a look at biggest stock movers on Tuesday Suspect Recently Released from Mental Health Facility According to an affidavit, Taylor told law enforcement he had been recently discharged from a mental health facility. He also said he had taken his medication the night before the flight. He was reportedly suffering from a lack of mental clarity during the incident. The authorities have not confirmed whether mental health will affect his legal proceedings. The case remains under investigation. FAQs What happened on the Allegiant Air flight involving a bomb threat? A passenger claimed his laptop was a bomb. The plane landed safely in Florida. No explosives were found, and the man was arrested. What charges does Taj Malik Taylor face after the flight incident? He is charged with making a false bomb threat. This is a felony. He could face five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both.
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Indian Express
‘My laptop is a bomb': US passenger forces emergency plane landing, FBI probe on
A 27-year-old Allegiant Air passenger is under FBI investigation and facing federal charges after allegedly claiming his laptop was a 'bomb', forcing a Sunday flight to make an emergency landing in Florida, USA Today reported. According to an FBI affidavit as per, USA Today, Taj Malik Taylor was seated in the last row of Allegiant Air Flight 1023, which had just departed from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport en route to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, when he turned to a nearby passenger and said, 'My laptop is a bomb.' Startled, the passengers reportedly asked Taylor what he meant. Taylor then lifted his laptop case and continued to repeat that it was a bomb, according to the affidavit. Several passengers overheard the statement and immediately alerted flight attendants. 'The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants,' USA Today quoted Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. 'Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb.' Allegiant confirmed the plane landed safely back in St. Petersburg at around 2 pm and Taylor was taken into custody. 'Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport,' the airline told USA Today. A law enforcement response was initiated for what was categorized as a 'verbal bomb threat.' K9 units searched Taylor's belongings, but no explosives were found. Taylor later told authorities he had recently been discharged from a mental health facility and was experiencing 'a lack of clarity,' despite having taken his medication the night before. As per a report by USA Today, the FBI said Taylor is being charged with making a false bomb threat, a federal offense punishable by up to five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon. Following the incident, all passengers and crew were deplaned while the aircraft was searched. The flight eventually resumed and landed in Roanoke nearly five hours behind schedule. 'We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience,' Allegiant said in a statement. 'As a gesture of goodwill, we will be issuing $100 vouchers to each itinerary, to be used for future travel.' This latest disruption adds to a spate of recent in-flight security scares. Just last week, an American Airlines flight was diverted after a passenger misinterpreted a fellow traveler's text message as a threat. In May, a US military member aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight was arrested after falsely claiming he had a bomb.
NDTV
08-07-2025
- NDTV
US Man Claims "Laptop Is Bomb", Forces Packed Flight To Make Emergency Landing
An Allegiant Air flight from Asheville in North Carolina to Florida's Punta Gorda, made an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly made a bomb threat mid-air on Sunday, USA Today reported. All passengers and crew were evacuated without incident. The suspect, 27-year-old Taj Malik Taylor, reportedly told a nearby passenger onboard Flight 1023 that his laptop was a bomb, which led to an immediate response from the crew and authorities, who declared an emergency. "The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants," according to a statement by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb." The plane landed safely at St Pete-Clearwater International Airport, from where it took off. The law enforcement and bomb-sniffing K9 units were waiting at the airport. As per the report, the incident is currently being probed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Taylor was detained without incident and faces a felony charge for making a false bomb threat, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of $25,000, or both. Allegiant Air apologised for the disruption and provided $100 travel vouchers to affected passengers, prioritising their safety and cooperating with authorities. "Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport," an Allegiant Air spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. Taylor allegedly showed FBI his laptop and said, "My laptop is a bomb." The incident caused significant disruption, with the airport temporarily halting operations during the investigation. The plane was thoroughly searched, and no explosive devices were found. As per the report, Taylor told authorities in an interview that he was recently released from a mental health facility. He "took his medication last night and was currently suffering from a lack of clarity," the report citing an affidavit.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
‘My laptop is a bomb': The 'threat' that made airline issues $100 vouchers to all passengers
A 27-year-old man is facing federal charges after creating a false alarm mid-flight, claiming that his laptop was a bomb. According to a USA Today report, the incident occurred onboard Allegiant Air Flight 1023, which had just taken off from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport in Florida and was heading to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport in Virginia. The accused reportedly told a fellow passenger that his laptop was a bomb, leading to an emergency landing on Sunday, July 6. The passenger, identified as Taj Malik Taylor , has been charged with making a false bomb threat – a federal offense that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or both. Taylor is set to appear in federal court on Monday afternoon, according to the FBI. 'My laptop is a bomb' said passenger mid-flight According to an FBI affidavit, Taylor was seated in the last row of the flight when he allegedly turned to a fellow passenger and said, 'My laptop is a bomb'. When questioned by seatmates, he reportedly lifted his laptop case and repeated the claim. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants,' the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. 'Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb.' Airline issues $100 vouchers to passengers After being alerted, the crew decided to return to the departure airport. The flight landed safely around 2 pm (PT) with law enforcement officers waiting at the gate. 'Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport,' the airline said in a statement to USA Today. All passengers and crew were deplaned while the investigation was underway. The flight eventually resumed and reached Roanoke at approximately 7:57 p.m., five hours behind schedule. 'We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience,' Allegiant said. 'As a gesture of goodwill, we will be issuing $100 vouchers to each itinerary, to be used for future travel.' Accused claimed mental health issues Taylor later told investigators he had been recently released from a mental health facility and had taken his medication the previous night. He said he was 'currently suffering from a lack of clarity,' according to the affidavit. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
USA Today
07-07-2025
- USA Today
'My laptop is a bomb': Passenger tells others, forces emergency landing
An Allegiant Air passenger is under investigation by the FBI after allegedly claiming his laptop was a bomb to others. The passenger is being charged with a false bomb threat, which forced his flight to make an emergency landing on Sunday. Identified as 27-year-old Taj Malik Taylor, the suspect was seated in the last row onboard Allegiant Air Flight 1023, according to the FBI affidavit. The aircraft had just taken off from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport for Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport when Taylor told the passenger next to him, "My laptop is a bomb." According to the affidavit, Taylor's seatmates asked him what he meant, and in response, Taylor allegedly lifted his laptop case and kept reiterating that it was a bomb. "The passenger immediately notified the flight attendants," according to a statement by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "Detectives say several other witnesses on the plane also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb." Flight diversion from snooping: Passenger misinterprets seat neighbor's 'RIP' text, forcing flight to divert The aircraft was rerouted back to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, landing at around 2 p.m. "Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport," an Allegiant Air spokesperson told USA TODAY in a statement. "The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody." Law enforcement said they responded to a call regarding a "verbal bomb threat." K9s searched his belongings and no bomb was found. Taylor told authorities in an interview that he was recently released from a mental health facility and "took his medication last night and was currently suffering from a lack of clarity," the affidavit states. Taylor is making his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon, the FBI said. He is being charged with a false bomb threat, which can result in a fine of up to $25,000, a prison sentence of no more than five years, or both. All other passengers and crew were deplaned and the flight resumed, arriving at Roanoke at around 7:57 p.m. – about five hours than scheduled. "We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused our passengers and thank them for their patience," the airline said. "As a gesture of goodwill, we will be issuing $100 vouchers to each itinerary, to be used for future travel." This incident follows a string of security threats on planes this summer. Last week, an American Airlines flight returned to its departing airport when a passenger snooped on another's phone, misinterpreting a text message as a threat to the aircraft. In May, a military member on a Hawaiian Airlines flight was arrested for saying he had a bomb.
