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Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (P.G.I.A.) authorities reported a hijacking incident involving a U.S. citizen on Thursday.

According to officials from Belize and the United States, the man stabbed two passengers and the pilot. Subsequently, one of the injured passengers, who was licensed to carry a firearm, fatally shot the assailant and surrendered the weapon to police.

“We are praying for him,” Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters. “He’s our hero.”

Williams identified the hijacker as Akinyela Taylor, reportedly a U.S. military veteran, according to The Associated Press. However, U.S. officials have not verified the police commissioner’s claim about Taylor’s military service.

The Cessna Caravan V3HIG flight from Corozal to San Pedro had 14 passengers and 2 crew members, P.G.I.A. stated.

Following the start of the incident, a full emergency was declared, and the aircraft circled erratically for about two hours before safely landing at P.G.I.A., according to the Belize Airport Concession Company.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in a Washington briefing that officials are still gathering information about the event.

“Horrifying,” she said. “We are grateful that it did not escalate into a mass casualty event, considering there were over a dozen people on board. We have some details, but there’s much we still don’t know.”

U.S. officials stated they are unsure of Taylor’s motive and are collaborating with Belizean authorities to investigate the incident.