Interpreted as a Threat

The creation of a diversion bears on passenger Rigoberto Alpizar, 44, shot and killed in Miami last week. Alpizar's wife, following him, reportedly cried out to the Air Marshals that he was bipolar (manic depressive) and hadn't taken his medications. When Alpizar reached inside his bag, for the bomb he ostensibly claimed was inside, he was shot dead. The wife's cries could be viewed by the Air Marshals as a distraction of the form mentioned by Sgt. Cortez above. The case is now under investigation by local authorities.

The remaining passengers were deboarded with their hands over their heads, and the airline had no access to the passengers or crew for hours.