A passenger on an American Airlines flight from Mexico to Los Angeles, California filmed the harrowing moment a fellow passenger punched a flight attendant.
CBS News reported the attacker was 33-year old Alexander Tung Cuu Le of Westminster, California. The FBI confirmed he was "detained on suspicion of interfering with a flight crew."
A passenger named Barrie Livingstone filmed the viral video shared by KTLA 5:
KTLA 5 reporter Carlos Saucedo detailed the irate Le attacked mid-flight after the flight attendant rejected his request to use the first class bathroom.
As the flight attendant turned away, Le ran up behind them and punched the back of their head. Onlookers gasped in horror.
Other passengers reportedly stepped in to help subdue the alleged attacker, who was secured with zip ties on his hands and feet.
Livingstone explained Le continued to lash out and shout out until the plane landed at LAX, where he was detained by police and the FBI.
American Airlines released the following statement about the incident:
"Acts of violence against our team members are not tolerated by American Airlines.
The individual involved in this incident will never be allowed to travel with us in the future, and we will work closely with law enforcement in their investigation."
Twitter users were upset to see a passenger hurting a flight attendant.
\u201cThis man punched a flight attendant in the back of the head and was banned from flying on American Airlines ever again.\n\nEVERY airline should get together, create a MASTER NO FLY LIST for people like this, banning them from flying on ANY AIRLINES.\n\nNo exceptions.\u201d— Ed Boon (@Ed Boon) 1663903414
\u201c@noobde totally agree. if you do something that heinous, be banned for life\u201d— Ed Boon (@Ed Boon) 1663903414
\u201c@noobde People are getting more bold in their heinous acts. I'd give this dude a hefty fine, a ban, and 15 years.\u201d— Ed Boon (@Ed Boon) 1663903414
\u201cHey @AmericanAir just checking to see if the flight attendant that this guy king hit in the back of the head is ok #aa377\u201d— Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7 (@Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7) 1663820535
\u201c@Smallzy @AmericanAir This is happening too often, where are the frigging Air Marshalls?\u201d— Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7 (@Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7) 1663820535
\u201c@Smallzy @AmericanAir It's awful and a coward move by this guy. Hope the flight attendant is ok.\u201d— Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7 (@Smallzy \ud83c\udfa7) 1663820535
Stories of disgruntled passengers using violence against flight attendants have been causing alarm for travelers amid the stress of traveling through a pandemic.
