Airport Guard Shot by Man Attempting to Hijack Jetliner
A man attempting to hijack a jet to Cuba shot a 70-year-old airport guard before he was captured when the clip fell out of his rifle.
Donald Hudson, the guard, was wounded Monday night when he refused to be taken hostage, airport officials said. He was listed in good condition Tuesday.
Gary F. Thompson, 39, was charged with attempted murder and attempted air piracy. Thompson had been released from Dammasch State Hospital, a mental facility, four days earlier and purchased the rifle Monday morning at a discount store, said Port of Portland spokesman Doug Roberts.
“He lied on the (gun) application about being a mental patient,” Roberts said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
