Teen in custody after entering Texarkana airport with guns, demanding plane

A 15-year-old boy is in custody after authorities said he displayed a firearm Tuesday morning at Texarkana Regional Airport and demanded an airplane before being confronted by a pilot who had retrieved a firearm from his truck.

The boy entered from the general aviation side with an AR-style rifle, according to a statement from the airport administration. Signature Aviation, the airport’s fixed-based operator, had three staff members working at the time, airport Executive Director Paul Mehrlich said later Tuesday to the Texarkana Gazette.

“The juvenile placed the weapon on their desk when making the demand for an aircraft and chambered a round,” Mehrlich said.

A staff member told the boy that she would help, then went into a back office and called 911, Mehrlich said. Frustrated, the 15-year-old then forcefully pushed open a door leading out to the airfield, Mehrlich said. That’s when the pilot confronted him and ordered him to the ground. The boy complied, at which time he was disarmed, authorities said. Police arrived on the scene and took the boy into custody.

Read more: Arkansas Online