KINGSTON, Jamaica — A gunman forced his way past security and barged onto a jetliner destined for Cuba, taking the crew hostage and demanding to be flown off the island, police said Monday.
After eight hours of fruitless negotiations at the Montego Bay airport, soldiers stormed the plane and arrested the man.
The gunman was identified as Stephen Fray, a 20-year-old Jamaican described by police as “mentally challenged.” Showing the gun, he forced his way past several security checkpoints. At least two people chased him, but failed to stop him from reaching the tarmac and boarding CanJet Airlines Flight 918 late Sunday.
Fray demanded to be flown to Cuba, a Jamaican official said, the flight’s next stop. But witnesses said the gunman wanted to reach America.
“He said ‘You are not going to stop me. I’m going to the U.S.,” passenger Jacques Poulin said. She said the gunman shot into the loading ramp and the bullet grazed the co-pilot’s face.
A short while later, he released two crew members and all 159 of the Canadian passengers. Six other crew members were held at gunpoint until early Monday, when soldiers stormed aboard.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
