Federal Air Marshals “demonstrated remarkable restraint in dealing with” an unarmed man whom they fired upon nine times and killed with at least four bullets outside a parked airliner at Miami International Airport. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office has determined the unidentified marshals were “legally justified” in killing Rigoberto Alpizar when he bolted from the aircraft after the Air Marshals say he told other passengers that he was carrying a bomb and would detonate it. The names of the Air Marshals were not released and they will be flying again, “shortly,” according to a TSA spokesman quoted by the Miami Herald.
The marshals fired nine times after Alpizar reached into a backpack that he was wearing on his chest and, according to one of the marshals, said, “I’m going to blow up this bomb.” There was a bottle of water in the backpack.
Air Marshals Cleared In Passenger Shooting
Key Takeaways:
- Federal Air Marshals fatally shot Rigoberto Alpizar, an unarmed man, at Miami International Airport after he allegedly claimed to have a bomb and reached into his backpack.
- The Miami-Dade State Attorney's office deemed the marshals' actions "legally justified," stating they demonstrated "remarkable restraint" despite Alpizar's backpack containing only a bottle of water.
- The marshals' identities were not released, and they are expected to return to active duty shortly.
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