Las Vegas: On an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, a man allegedly attacked and tried to kill another passenger with a makeshift gun made of pens and packing peanuts.
According to court documents, the man, Julio Alvares Lopez, punched and tried to stab the victim during the flight, which took place on January 24. The victim was a sworn law enforcement officer.
What do the witnesses say?
A witness said Lopez began acting “fidgety” during the flight and attacked the victim when she returned after going to the restroom 30 minutes before landing.
Another witness and the victim’s wife testified that they yelled at Lopez to stop but he continued to attack.
Reason for the Attack?
According to court records, Lopez told authorities that he thought the mafia was following him and mistook the victim for someone from the cartel. He admitted that he planned to kill the victim and that he prepared the gun before the flight.
Flight and Detention
The plane landed safely in Las Vegas and Lopez was taken into police custody. The suspect will remain in custody until his trial and is scheduled to appear in court on March 1.
Statement by Alaska Airlines
In a statement on the incident, Alaska Airlines said the crew acted professionally in handling the incident and assisted law enforcement.
Expert Opinion
Experts emphasize that such attacks on airplanes are rare, but it is important to always be vigilant and intervene when necessary.
Stay tuned for the latest developments on this news.
