MIAMI, Dec 8: Air marshals on Wednesday shot and killed an American Airlines passenger who claimed to be carrying a bomb in his backpack and ran off a plane at Miami International Airport after being confronted (partly reported in Thursday’s Dawn).

Federal officials said the 44-year-old American made threats and indicated he had a bomb in his bag as he was boarding a flight to Orlando, Florida.

The two air marshals involved in the deadly shooting were put on administrative leave pending investigation of the incident, officials said on Thursday.

Air marshal spokesman Dave Adams said the two, whom he did not identify, were put on paid leave following the shooting.

“In any law enforcement shooting, it’s not just with the federal air marshals (FAMS), they have to conduct an internal investigation,” Mr Adams said.

“At this time the FAMS are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation,” he said. “It’s typical in any law enforcement shooting.”

It was the first time an airplane passenger was shot by air marshals since the US marshals program was beefed up after the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. Witnesses said the man might have been mentally ill.

The man, who arrived in Miami from Quito, Ecuador, was identified as Florida resident Rigoberto Alpizar.

Authorities said he was challenged by two air marshals on board the Orlando-bound plane, and shot on the passenger gangway after running off the aircraft. He ignored demands to put his bag on the ground and instead reached into it, a Department of Homeland Security spokesman said.

“Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the subject,” the spokesman said.

The shooting triggered a scramble by air marshals to guard airports across the United States against possible attacks.—Reuters