A recent Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to Las Vegas on January 24, 2024, was the scene of a violent incident. A passenger, identified as Julio Alvarez Lopez, reportedly fashioned a makeshift weapon and attacked another passenger, claiming he was being pursued by the mafia.
Lopez’s behavior during the flight was described as erratic. He was seen frequently putting on and removing gloves, and spending extended periods in the restroom during the plane’s initial descent. Upon returning to his seat, Lopez allegedly began assaulting a fellow passenger seated across the aisle.
The weapon Lopez used was reportedly a collection of pens bound together with rubber bands. He is accused of attempting to stab the male passenger with this improvised weapon. During the assault, the victim’s wife was also hit as she tried to protect her seven-year-old son from the attack.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene with blood everywhere. Following the assault, Lopez reportedly began shouting that he would only speak to the FBI. The victim survived the attack but sustained severe injuries.
A law enforcement officer on board the flight intervened, ordering Lopez to sit in an empty seat. The flight crew provided flex cuffs, and Lopez was restrained for the remainder of the flight. Upon landing, he was taken into custody by law enforcement.
Lopez allegedly told officers that he believed the mafia had been pursuing him for several months. He admitted to planning the attack on the victim, whom he had never met before, because he suspected the man was part of a cartel. He also reportedly confessed to the FBI that he had intended to kill the victim and had created the weapon used in the attack.
Alaska Airlines confirmed the incident, praising the crew for their professionalism in handling the situation. The aircraft landed safely, and one passenger was taken into custody upon arrival at the gate.
Lopez was charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon following his arrest at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was later indicted by a federal grand jury on the assault charge and is scheduled to return to court on March 1.