Man tries to attack flight attendant with spoon in front of terrified passengers

27 September 2023 , 21:26

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Francisco Severo Torres was indicted on multiple counts including attempted interference and using a dangerous weapon (Image: AP)

A man suffering a mental health incident on an United Airlines flight attacked a flight attendant by allegedly attempting to puncture his neck with a spoon.

Francisco Severo Torres, of Massachusetts, has been indicted on one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon in the March 5 incident on United Airlines Flight 2609 from Los Angeles to Boston.

In his last court appearance in July, a federal judge ruled that Francisco was not competent to stand trial. Magistrate Judge Judith Dein, basing her decision on a mental health evaluation of Francisco and her own observations in court, determined that further treatment is warranted.

Crew members saw Torres as "a threat to everyone aboard" (AP)

Federal public defender Joshua Hanye, who represented Francisco in that court appearance, could not be reached for comment. According to prosecutor and witness accounts, Torres went on a midair rant and tried to stab a crew member with a modified metal spoon.

The plane was about 45 minutes from Boston when the crew received an alarm that a side door on the aircraft was disarmed, according to court documents. One flight attendant noticed the door's locking handle had been moved.

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Another saw Francisco near the door and believed he had moved the handle. Cabin pressure during flight prevents airplane doors from opening.

Torres was tackled to the ground after he brandished a broken metal spoon (Getty Images)

When the flight attendant confronted Francisco about tampering with the door, he swatted his inquiry away essentially saying the crew member had no proof. Subsequently, the flight attendant told the captain that he believed Francisco posed a threat to everyone on board. He implored the captain to land the aircraft as soon as possible.

Francisco started loudly rambling that his father was Dracula, that he wanted to be shot so he could be reincarnated and that he would kill everyone on board, another passenger said.

He punched a male flight attendant, who felt the metal spoon in Francisco's hand hit him on his shirt collar and tie three times, according to court documents. No one was injured.

Other passengers said Francisco was seemingly mouthing something about killing "every man on this plane" and "I'm taking over this plane," according to NBC. He was eventually subdued and restrained by other passengers, who tackled him to the floor. He was arrested when the flight landed at Boston Logan International Airport, authorities said.

If convicted, Francisco could be sentenced up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
He has spent time in mental health facilities, according to court records. The police chief in his hometown said officers have dealt with him several times since 2014, mostly over family issues and mental health episodes.

Mataeo Smith