Tico Shot Dead in Miami Airport
Costa Rican Rigoberto Alpízar Medina (44) was shot dead by authorities in the Miami Airport while boarding a flight to Orlando. His wife, US citizen Anne Beuchner, was involved in the tragedy also. Apparently Rigoberto suffers from bipolar disorder and was acting erratically as passengers were boarding the plane. His wife tried to explain to fellow passengers and air marshals that Rigoberto had manic depression and had not taken his medication. Mr. Alpízar became more upset and fled the plane. At the boarding gate, he was challenged by undercover air marshals and became more upset. The marshals order him to go to the ground and when he reached for his carryon bag they shot him. Witnesses say that his wife returned from the jetway apologizing to fellow passengers and trying to explain that her husband was sick. Passengers aboard heard 4 or 5 shots.
According to James Bauer, head of the US air marshal service in Miami, at some point Alpízar suggested that he was carrying a bomb in his backpack, before moving his hand towards the bag.
"The threat escalated," Mr Bauer added, explaining why the marshals then opened fire, killing Alpizar. Police boarded the plane and ordered fellow passengers to brace themselves against their seats with their hands on their heads. Sniffer dogs checked passenger luggage on the airport tarmac. Controlled explosions carried out on Alpízar’s luggage confirmed he was not carrying a bomb.
There was no indication of any link to terrorism, but federal air marshals were deployed in airports around the US as a precaution, Mr Bauer added.
Relatives said Alpizar and his wife had been on a working vacation in Peru. A neighbor who said he had been asked to watch the couple’s home described the vacation as a missionary trip.
Alpízar’s family here and in laws in the US are in shock. Anne and Rigoberto met here in Costa Rica when she came here to study. Alpízar had worked here as an assistant manager at the Más x Menos in Hatillo 6. For the last 2 and a half years he was working in Home Depot, in the paint department.
Rolando Alpízar, one of the dead man’s brothers, told reporters that "el Flaco" (Slim) was very caring and had been in Costa Rica in July of this year and also last December. "In July he came here alone. Dad, (Carlos Alpízar, of Río Claro Golfito) needed to have some tests done for his heart condition. He took him to San José and everything was fine."
In 2004 he came with Anne, they rented a car and went to the beaches in Guanacaste and visitied his father in Río Claro. His mother has been dead for 11 years.
"We are all very hurt. All of my children are good, but he was special. Never in my life could I expect news like this.", said the 72 year old don Carlos.
Chancellor Roberto Tovar stated that the Costa Rican government would seek more details over the incident and would try to see if the family needed any assistance.
"He was Not a Terrorist"
Why? Rolando Alpízar Medina was still asking himself this question about the death of his beloved brother. Who always stayed with him when he came to Costa Rica. He is absolutely certain that his brother "is no terrorist", as some news reports indicated. He added that one of his brother’s passions was running, a sport that they both practice, also his love of la Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. "He was cheerful, a kidder, and very close to his family".