ON Tuesday, July 15 at approximately 1:10 p.m., Richmond RCMP received a report that a Cessna 172, a small passenger aircraft, had been hijacked from the Vancouver Island area and was entering into airspace near Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The suspect was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
(On Wednesday, according to court records, Shaheer Cassim was facing one count of hijacking in connection with the incident, CTV reported. The Toronto Star reported that he is a former commercial pilot who has previously been involved in climate activism.)
Richmond RCMP, along with the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and RCMP Air Services were immediately deployed. Communication was established with YVR Emergency Operation Center to ensure a coordinated response focused on the safety and security of all involved.
At 1:45 p.m., the plane safely landed at YVR and Richmond RCMP officers arrested the suspect without incident.
Photo: Facebook
Police said that this is an active and ongoing investigation with numerous factors still being assessed as such, no further details can be shared at this time.
Earlier, Vancouver International Airport said that shortly before 1:30 p.m., a security incident involving a small private aircraft in the airspace near YVR prompted a temporary ground stop for arriving aircraft. RCMP responded, the aircraft landed safely, and the lone occupant was taken into custody.
YVR said: “During the 39-minute ground stop for arrivals, nine inbound aircraft were diverted to alternate airports. Airlines, YVR, and our partners are working to support getting those passengers to their destinations. Flights are now operating normally in and out of YVR, however some flight delays are possible and passengers should check directly with their airline or at yvr.ca before coming to the airport.”
CBC reported that a spokesperson for the Canadian Armed Forces said that the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) scrambled U.S. F-15 fighter jets in response to the alleged hijacking. But the flight had landed before fighter jets intercepted it.
