New security audio reveals the tense moments when emergency personnel responded to an incoming plane on the tarmac where an illegal immigrant allegedly threatened to hijack the plane and said he “had a bomb” in his backpack.
The flight, United Airlines 2174, was heading to New Orleans from Newark, New Jersey, Monday evening, when pilots sounded the alarm. Suspect Rony Gomez-Alberto, 34, of Honduras, is currently in jail following his arrest.
The Department of Homeland Security previously confirmed to Fox News the suspect was deported from the U.S. twice before he – again – illegally entered the country by way of California. He was released by a judge in 2020.
No one was hurt in Monday’s incident. The audio obtained by 4WWL reveals the suspect was possibly being held in the back of the aircraft as passengers were de-planing.
In the radio call, someone is heard saying, “We have him at the back door. The back door has been breached by him.”
More personnel are heard on dispatch saying:
“We’re going to approach and enter through the rear of the aircraft.”
“Do we have any units on scene with a cage?”
“There’s a Hispanic male wearing a hat, probably something about 5’7.”
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“Stay on the line with him and tell him to notify you immediately if he starts trying to move toward the front of the airplane.”
“My guys, we got the passengers coming toward the cars. Let’s keep them corralled right by our cars.”
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“I’ve been told he’s wearing all black.”
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“Be advised, one passenger had not told me he changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit.”
“All right, be advised, pilots are going to stay in the cockpit with the door locked. Flight attendants are going to come off, so we’re going to bring them off and bring them over here as well. He doesn’t speak English.”
“Aircom 400 subject in custody.”
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It is unclear what specific agencies were communicating with one another on the dispatch.
The suspect was arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies, and is currently listed in jail with no bond on charges of terrorizing, communicating false information of planned arson and fugitive from justice.
