In a terror scene reminiscent of Sept. 11, an armed man threatening to kill Americans aboard an Amtrak train had to be subdued by passengers.
“All Americans will die!” suspect Gerardo Bedia was quoted as shouting, along with a host of obscenities before being overpowered by fellow travelers Sunday near Big Sandy, Texas.
According to Big Sandy police, the man spoke English, Spanish and “some kind of Middle Eastern language.”
Chief Ronnie Norman said the weapon – a black, all-plastic polymer folding knife – is typically used to defeat metal detectors, the Longview News-Journal reported.
“It could have been a lot worse,” Norman told the paper. “The passengers did a fantastic job of restraining him.”
“We haven’t been able to determine exactly where he’s from. We know he’s spent time in Pennsylvania,” he added.
Statements from officers responding to the train’s emergency stop indicate Bedia was screaming “I’ll kill you,” leaving some passengers visibly shaken, though no one was physically hurt.
They were able to restrain Bedia in an upstairs compartment of the train until police arrived.
Bedia “was barely conscious, not coherent, couldn’t walk well and had to be assisted from the train,” according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph, which said authorities believe the 21-year-old was intoxicated.
The assailant also reportedly grabbed for an officer’s gun as he was being arrested.
Officials searched bags on the train for other weapons before the train was able to resume its journey.
Bedia is reportedly an American citizen who was carrying Army identification.
Chief Norman told the News-Journal that passengers should be commended for restraining Bedia, comparing their bravery to actions by United Flight 93 passengers, who confronted terrorist hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001.
Local authorities contacted the FBI, and Bedia was being held on charges of making a terroristic threat.
