A shocking incident took place on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas last month, leaving passengers terrified and authorities scrambling to understand what happened. Julio Alvarez Lopez, a passenger on the flight, allegedly planned an attack and attempted to kill a fellow traveler using a makeshift weapon. The incident unfolded during a mid-flight altercation, leaving witnesses and the victim’s wife screaming for help.
Lopez’s behavior throughout the flight was described as “fidgety.” He continuously put on and removed his gloves, raising suspicion among other passengers. As the flight began its descent, Lopez spent an extended period in the bathroom. When he returned to his seat, chaos erupted. Lopez started punching and hitting the man seated across the aisle from him and even attempted to stab him in the eye using a makeshift weapon he had crafted from pens and rubber bands.
The victim’s wife, witnessing the horrifying scene, screamed at Lopez to stop attacking her husband. Another passenger unbuckled her seatbelt and yelled at Lopez to cease his violent rampage. Witnesses reported a pool of blood on the floor as a result of the altercation, with the makeshift weapon dropped during the chaos.
The male victim survived the attack but sustained severe injuries. The incident left the entire cabin in shock and disbelief. After the altercation, Lopez made his way to the front of the plane, shouting that he would only speak to the FBI. A law enforcement officer on board ordered him to sit down, and with the assistance of the flight crew, Lopez was restrained for the remainder of the flight.
Once the plane landed at Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Lopez. Authorities held him at a substation in Terminal 3 for questioning. During this time, Lopez admitted to planning the attack because he believed that the mafia was chasing him. Shockingly, he confessed that he had never seen the victim before but had intended to kill him.
Lopez appeared before US Magistrate Judge Nancy Koppe the next day, who ordered his detention pending trial. A federal grand jury later indicted Lopez on the assault charge. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 1, where he will face the consequences of his alleged planned attack.
This terrifying incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious behavior. The quick actions of the victim’s wife and other passengers may have saved his life. Airlines and law enforcement agencies must continue to work together to ensure the safety and security of all passengers during flights.
