An American Airlines flight for Los Angeles was diverted to Denver on Thursday night after a passenger became unruly, struck a flight attendant and yelled various threats
The U.S. attorney’s office Friday identified the passenger as Varoujan Khodjamirian.
American Airlines Flight 21 was en route from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday night.
According to an affidavit released by the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office, Khodjamirian became loud and disruptive about 60 to 90 minutes into the flight after having several alcoholic drinks. Following passenger complaints, the flight attendants reseated the two passengers sitting next to Khodjamirian. He then began kicking the seats in front of him.
Attempts by the flight attendants to calm him were unsuccessful, the affidavit said, so he was moved to the last row of seats. He continued to be loud, struck one of the flight attendants in the face and began yelling threats, including “I kill your children, I kill your mother, I will beat you all down and kill you.” Fight attendants restrained him with flexible cuffs and two attendants sat on him while the aircraft was diverted. The Denver Post
