United Airlines passenger accused of tampering with emergency exit door and attacking flight attendant [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• A man has been charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon after allegedly attacking a flight attendant and trying to open a plane’s emergency exit door on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston.
• The flight attendant suspected the man had tampered with the emergency exit door about 45 minutes before landing in Boston, and after confronting him, he allegedly responded by asking if there were cameras showing that he had done so.
• Torres allegedly thrust towards one of the flight attendants in a stabbing motion with a broken metal spoon, hitting the flight attendant on the neck area three times. Passengers tackled Torres and helped the crew restrain him until the plane landed, when he was taken into custody.

On a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston, a man has been charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon after allegedly attacking a flight attendant and trying to open a plane’s emergency exit door. The suspect, Francisco Severo Torres, 33, was accused of tampering with the emergency exit door about 45 minutes before landing in Boston.

A flight attendant inspected the door and found the handle had been moved toward the unlocked position. Another attendant suspected Torres had tampered with it after noticing he had been by the door earlier. When confronted, Torres allegedly responded by asking if there were cameras showing that he had done so.

The captain was notified that Torres might pose a threat to the flight and asked to land as soon as possible. Torres later approached the same door as two flight attendants stood near it and allegedly thrust towards one of the flight attendants in a stabbing motion with a broken metal spoon, hitting the flight attendant on the neck area three times. Passengers tackled Torres and helped the crew restrain him until the plane landed, when he was taken into custody. United Airlines said no injuries were reported.

Passengers interviewed after the flight landed told authorities that Torres had asked someone about where the door handle was on the plane’s safety card. Torres is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday, and he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Federal court records weren’t immediately available for Torres on Monday, and it’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney. United Airlines praised the quick actions of its crew and passengers in restraining Torres and stated that he will be banned from flying on United pending an investigation. The airline is cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation.

Source: news.yahoo.com