An airline passenger who was arrested after an altercation with a flight attendant on Wednesday had threatened to “cut off her head” before slashing her with a makeshift knife, authorities say.
- The incident happened aboard a Delta flight from Atlanta to New Orleans, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. After passenger Nelson Montgomery, 39, “hurt himself” with a sharp object, he turned his attention toward a flight attendant, putting her in a chokehold, sheriff’s officials say. When other passengers tried to intervene, Montgomery held up the sharp object and threatened to decapitate her, witnesses say. He then cut her twice before the other passengers pulled him away from the woman, sources say. He was arrested when the plane landed in Atlanta, the airline reports.
- Montgomery is now facing charges of aggravated battery, disturbing the peace and simple battery, court paperwork reveals. He’s currently in an Atlanta hospital, where he’s recovering from a cut to his neck, sheriff’s officials say. “Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior on our aircraft and in our airports,” reads a statement issued by Delta.