Flight Attendant Stabbed By Passenger Attempting To Open Emergency Door On Plane

A man from Leominster, Massachusetts is in hot water after allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit door and stabbing a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. Francisco Severo Torres, 33, has been charged with one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. Torres was arrested upon arrival at Boston Logan International Airport.

According to charging documents, Torres was suspected of tampering with the starboard side door after it was found to be disarmed while the plane was in mid-flight. Later on, Torres allegedly approached two flight attendants while holding a broken metal spoon and stabbed one of them three times in the neck area.

Passengers tackled Torres and restrained him until the flight landed, where he was immediately taken into custody. Torres was charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, which carries a potential sentence of up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum is prosecuting the case, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.