Federal prosecutors have released new details about a violent midair attack aboard a Seattle-to-Las Vegas flight, where a passenger used a makeshift weapon constructed from pens in an attempt to kill another traveler. The incident occurred in January 2024 and ended with the suspect restrained by passengers and taken into custody after landing in Las Vegas.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the attacker has now pleaded guilty in federal court.
Incident
The attack unfolded about 30 minutes before the aircraft was scheduled to land at Harry Reid International Airport. Federal court documents state that Julio Alvarez Lopez, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident since 2018, suddenly left his seat, walked to the restroom, and returned before launching an unprovoked assault on a passenger seated across the aisle.
Investigators say Lopez began punching, hitting, and stabbing the victim without warning, causing panic inside the cabin.
Weapon
After waiving his Miranda rights during an interview with FBI agents, Lopez admitted he created the weapon before boarding the flight. Prosecutors say he bundled three pens together using hairbands, forming a rigid stabbing device.
Lopez later told investigators he intended to use the weapon to stab the victim through the eye in an attempt to reach the brain.
Attack
Witnesses told investigators there was blood throughout the cabin as the victim’s wife screamed for Lopez to stop. During the struggle, she was struck while attempting to protect the couple’s 7-year-old son.
According to court filings, Lopez believed the victim was following him and claimed he thought the man was associated with a cartel. Investigators noted Lopez admitted he had never seen the victim before the flight.
“I planned on attacking and killing him,” Lopez told investigators, according to the criminal complaint.
Response
After the assault, Lopez walked toward the front of the aircraft, repeatedly yelling, “I’ll only talk to the FBI,” according to witness statements.
A law enforcement officer who was traveling aboard the flight ordered Lopez to sit down. Flight attendants then used flex cuffs, and passengers helped restrain him for the remainder of the flight.
The plane landed safely in Las Vegas, where officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took Lopez into custody.
Injuries
Prosecutors say the victim sustained injuries to his body and eye area that required stitches. No other passengers suffered serious injuries, though witnesses described the scene as chaotic and distressing.
Behavior
Court documents also describe unusual behavior from Lopez before the attack. Passengers reported he appeared nervous, repeatedly put gloves on and removed them, searched through his backpack several times, and avoided eye contact.
One witness described Lopez as having gray or white hair tied in a bun and wearing a sweatshirt. Another said he stood up twice during the plane’s descent, visited the restroom, returned to his seat, and then attacked moments later.
Charges
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, Lopez pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon related to the January 24, 2024 incident.
Investigators also stated Lopez told them he was seeking asylum in the United States and believed he had been followed by the mafia for several months.
Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22.
FAQs
What happened on the flight?
A passenger attacked another using a pen-made weapon.
Where was the plane headed?
The flight was traveling to Las Vegas.
What weapon was used?
Three pens bundled together with hairbands.
Was the victim seriously injured?
He required stitches for body and eye injuries.
When will sentencing occur?
Lopez is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 22.
