A Mexican national, granted lawful permanent resident status in 2018, entered a guilty plea on Thursday, confessing to constructing an improvised weapon from three pens secured with hairbands before boarding a flight from Seattle to Las Vegas. Federal prosecutors stated that the individual then attempted to stab another passenger "through the eye to reach his brain."
In-Flight Attack Unfolds
Eyewitnesses recounted a chaotic scene, reporting "blood everywhere" as the victim's wife frantically urged the assailant, identified as Lopez, to cease his attack on her husband. During the struggle, court documents indicate the wife was struck while actively shielding the couple's 7-year-old son.
Following the assault, Lopez reportedly began moving toward the front of the aircraft, according to the complaint. As he proceeded through the aisle, a witness told investigators that Lopez repeatedly shouted, "I'll only talk to the FBI."
An onboard law enforcement officer intervened, ordering Lopez to sit down. Flight attendants then provided flex cuffs, and passengers assisted in restraining him for the remainder of the journey, as detailed in the complaint. The flight ultimately landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took Lopez into custody.
Suspect's Admissions to Investigators
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident that occurred on January 24, 2024.
During an interview with FBI agents, after waiving his Miranda rights, Lopez admitted to crafting the weapon by binding three pens together with hairbands before boarding the plane, officials confirmed.
Investigators stated that Lopez informed them he believed the victim, identified in court documents as C.R., had been tracking him during the flight. Lopez also claimed he thought C.R. "was the Cartel" and that he was trying to make him stop following him.
The complaint further noted that Lopez told investigators he had never encountered C.R. prior to the flight but had "planned on attacking and killing him." Lopez admitted to investigators that his intention was to kill the victim by stabbing him in the eye.
"I planned on attacking and killing him," Lopez reportedly told investigators.
Lopez also confessed to attempting to stab C.R. "through the eye to reach C.R.'s brain to kill him." Prosecutors confirmed that the victim sustained injuries to his body and eye area that necessitated stitches.
Pre-Attack Behavior Noted by Witnesses
Court documents reveal that witnesses observed Lopez exhibiting unusual behavior before the attack. One passenger described Lopez as appearing "fidgety," repeatedly donning and removing gloves, accessing his backpack multiple times, and avoiding eye contact with other passengers.
Another witness characterized Lopez as having "gray/white hair tied in a bun on the top of his head" and wearing a sweatshirt at the time of the incident. A different witness recalled Lopez standing up twice as the aircraft commenced its descent into Las Vegas, visiting the restroom, and then returning to his seat just before suddenly initiating the assault.
The complaint also indicated that Lopez informed investigators he was seeking asylum in the United States and believed he had been pursued by the mafia for several months.
Lopez's sentencing is scheduled for September 22.
