Passenger caught on online video punching flight attendant for the duration of Mexico-to-L.A. flight

A passenger who allegedly punched a flight attendant in the back again of the head in the course of an American Airlines flight from Mexico to Los Angeles was taken into custody following the aircraft landed Wednesday, CBS Los Angeles reviews.

The provider explained in a statement that the incident took place on Flight 377 from San José del Cabo to Los Angeles Global Airport (LAX).

The FBI, which is dealing with the investigation given that the alleged assault happened in-flight, stated 33-calendar year-old Alexander Tung Cuu Le, of Westminster, California, was detained on suspicion of interfering with a flight crew, a federal offense. 

Video clip taken by a passenger, Barrie Livingstone, exhibits the flight attendant standing in the aisle, going through the again of the aircraft, asking a passenger, “Are you threatening me. Are you threatening me?” He then turns all around and starts heading for the front of the airplane.

At that position, a passenger is seen dashing up to him and punching him, tough, prior to returning to his seat.

A producer for CBS San Diego affiliate KFMB-Television set, Malik Earnest, who was on board, cited “witnesses” who mentioned fellow travellers “helped restrain” the suspect right up until the flight landed. He was led off the aircraft by Los Angeles Airport Law enforcement.

American Airways issued a assertion indicating the passenger “physically assaulted a flight attendant” and “will by no means be permitted to travel with us in the long run.” 

The Affiliation of Expert Flight attendants, a union that represents much more than 24,000 flight attendants at American Airlines, also responded publicly to the alleged assault in a assertion introduced on Thursday. The organization called the incident “unsafe,” “lifestyle-threatening” and component of a sample of related circumstances that put flight attendants at hazard.

“This violent conduct puts the safety of all passengers and crew in jeopardy and will have to halt,” stated Julie Hendrick, the countrywide president of AFPA. “APFA totally supports the afflicted crew users, and will do all achievable to ensure that the passenger faces prosecution to the fullest extent of the regulation.”