A statement issued by the Tupelo Police Department (TPD) says that at approximately 5am local time (11am UK time) they were alerted to an emergency call to 911 that a pilot had made the threat. The aircraft is believed to be a King Air propeller. Officers are trying to clear the area and speak to the pilot, who is said to have been circling in the air since then, flying at low altitude. The local Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported that it was believed to have moved to an area near a Toyota plant in nearby Blue Spring – a situation that appears to be confirmed by images from flight tracking websites. Police said in the statement: “On 09-03-2022 at approximately 05:00 A.M. TPD was notified that a pilot of an airplane (possibly a King Air) was flying over Tupelo. The pilot contacted E911 and threatened to crash into the Wal Mart on West Main. “TPD has worked with Wal-Mart West and Dodges on West Main to evacuate the stores and disperse people as much as possible. TPD was also able to initiate direct conversations with the pilot. “At this time the situation is ongoing with TPD and all Emergency Services in our area on alert. Image: A Flightaware image showing the aircraft’s path near Tupelo (TUP). Photo: Flightaware.com “Citizens are asked to avoid this area until all clear is given. With the mobility of an airplane of this type the danger zone is much larger than even Tupelo.” State Gov. Tate Reeves said authorities are monitoring the situation. He tweeted: “Law enforcement and emergency responders are closely monitoring this dangerous situation. All citizens should be alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department.”
