Florida man randomly punches sleeping co-passenger in bloody mid-flight assault

Florida man randomly punches sleeping co-passenger in bloody mid-flight assault

Random Act of Violence Leaves Cabin Bloodied on San Francisco to D.C. Flight

A seemingly peaceful United Airlines flight turned violent Monday when a Florida man allegedly launched an unprovoked assault on a sleeping passenger, leaving the cabin spattered with blood and resulting in federal charges.

The incident

Everett Chad Nelson, 44, faces serious federal charges following what authorities describe as a random and vicious attack aboard United Airlines flight 2247 from San Francisco to Washington Dulles International Airport. The incident, which occurred approximately two hours into the five-hour journey, has become the latest addition to a growing list of concerning in-flight disturbances.

The attack

According to the federal complaint filed Tuesday, Nelson, who was seated in the rear of the aircraft, made his way to a front lavatory. Upon exiting, he stopped at seat 12F and “without notice, began physically attacking a sleeping male passenger by punching him repeatedly in the face and head until blood was drawn.” The assault, which lasted a full minute, only ended when a fellow passenger intervened.

Aftermath and response

The attack left the victim with severe injuries, including:

“Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was restrained after becoming physically aggressive toward another customer on the flight,” a United official told The Independent. The flight, carrying 82 passengers and six crew members, continued to its destination with Nelson moved to a forward seat under close supervision.

Medical attention and security response

In a fortunate coincidence, a doctor aboard the flight provided immediate medical attention to the victim. The Transportation Security Administration promptly alerted the FBI about what they classified as a “Level 2 disturbance,” defined by the Federal Aviation Administration as “physically abusive behavior.”

Legal consequences

Nelson now faces:

Rising in-flight incidents

The incident contributes to an alarming trend in air travel disruptions:

This case stands out for its apparent randomness, with the federal complaint noting no preexisting relationship between Nelson and the victim, and no discernible motive for the attack. “Nelson had no observable injuries and there was no indication that [the alleged victim] struck him in defense,” the complaint states.

Nelson is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday, where more details about this bizarre and violent incident may come to light.

Exit mobile version