Man Attempts To Open Emergency Exit, Attacks Flight Attendant With Broken Spoon

A man is facing federal charges after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and attempting to open an emergency exit aboard a flight to Boston over the weekend.

According to One America News, Severo Torres was aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston when he supposedly “attempted to tamper” with an emergency exit door.

A flight attendant reportedly witnessed the 33-year-old tampering with the exit and stepped in to confront him.

The prosecutor’s office reported that shortly before landing, the airline crew was “notified that the starboard side door had been disarmed.”

One attendant allegedly witnessed Torres tampering with the door earlier in the flight and confronted him after the crew was notified of a disarmed emergency door.

“A flight attendant then confronted Torres about tampering with the door, to which he allegedly responded by asking if there were cameras showing that he had done so,” the federal prosecutor’s office said after the incident.

After suspicion of Torres set in, the flight’s captain was ordered to make an immediate landing. Shortly after, Torres approached two flight attendants at the door in question, and attacked one of them with a broken spoon, prior to being tackled and subdued by passengers.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts’ office released a statement detailing the alleged attack.

“Shortly thereafter, it is alleged that Torres got out of his seat and approached the starboard side door where two flight attendants were standing in the aisle. One of the flight attendants saw Torres mouthing something that he could not hear,” the statement reads.

“Torres then 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 then tackled Torres and he was restrained with the assistance of flight crew. Torres was immediately taken into custody upon the flight’s arrival to Boston.”

According to OAN, a United Airlines representative confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.

Torres is scheduled to appear in court Thursday after being charged with one count of interference and attempted interference.