AIR MARSHAL TAKES NECESSARY ACTION

An air marshal has shot and killed a passenger who claimed to have a bomb and refused orders to get down on the ground. From Reuters:

MIAMI (Reuters) - An American Airlines passenger who claimed to be carrying a bomb was shot by an air marshal on a jetway ramp while trying to flee a plane arriving from Medellin, Colombia, at Miami International Airport on Wednesday, a U.S. official said.

The spokesman said the passenger indicated during the flight that there was a bomb in a carry-on bag and upon landing immediately exited the aircraft through the jetway at Gate D42. Air marshals pursued and ordered the passenger to get down on the ground.

"The passenger then reached into his carry-on bag, at which point, consistent with air marshal training, the air marshals took the appropriate actions. Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the subject," the spokesman said.

It's terrible that shooting the suspect was necessary, but we are well past the time of "ask questions first" when it comes to safety on our airplanes and in our airports.