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3 Spirit Airlines passengers arrested for kicking, punching and throwing shoes at staff over delayed flight

The incident was captured on video and shows the women hurling items like phones, shoes, water bottles, and fast food at the employees. They then went behind the counter and attacked an employee
UPDATED JUL 16, 2020
(Twitter)
(Twitter)

Some Spirit Airlines passengers had a violent reaction when their flight from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia was delayed on Tuesday, July 14. As per police reports from the Broward County Sheriff's Office, three female passengers from Philadelphia got very mad at the delay and began to assault five Spirit employees.

The incident took place at Gate G14 at Fort Lauderdale airport. The police reports revealed, "The defendants intentionally struck the victims against their will with miscellaneous items, such as phones, shoes, full water bottles, metal boarding signs, and fast food." 



 

"The victims were also punched and kicked in different sections of their bodies numerous times by the listed defendants," the reports continue. The authorities arrested the three passengers: Danaysha Dixon, 22; Keira Ferguson, 21; and Tamaya Wright, 20. They are being charged with battery with Wright facing an additional charge for taking the cellphone of one of the employee's cell phones and storing it in her backpack, WPLG revealed. 

Wright was arrested on charges of touch or strike battery and petit theft. Dixon was arrested on charges of touch or strike battery. Ferguson was also arrested on the same charges of touch or strike battery. All three women were housed at the Broward County Jail and released on bond on Wednesday morning, July 15. The women said that they were trying to get back home to Philadelphia but did not speak further on the incident. 

The incident was captured on video and shows the women hurling items like phones, shoes, water bottles, and fast food at the employees. They then went behind the counter and attacked at least one of the employees. The arrest documents also state, "The victims were also punched and kicked in different sections of their bodies numerous times," WPLG reported.

Spirit Airlines released a statement that read, "We thank our Team Members for their professionalism and quick actions, and we also thank the Broward Sheriff’s Office for their assistance at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport yesterday."

"Three Guests became combative following a delayed flight, and they were arrested for physically assaulting our Team Members. Three of our Team Members sustained minor injuries. This violent behavior is completely unacceptable and has absolutely no place in airports or any other place of business," the statement added. 

The statement continued, "We will not tolerate abusive behavior of any kind. Further questions about this incident should be referred to law enforcement."

According to USA Today, Spirit spokesman Erik Hofmeyer said that the passengers had become "combative" after a delay on Flight 1004. The situation started when the boarding was delayed and when Spirit employees had stopped boarding and shut the jet bridge door. 

A flight tracker app FlightAware revealed that the plane had been delayed for 80 minutes. Hofmeyer also said that the employees were left "understandably shaken up". Social media users took to commenting on the video of the incident, slamming the three women. One such user shared, "I hope they get a lot more than simple battery charges. Looks like they are using weapons in an attempt to cause harm. Hit them up with battery using a dangerous, possibly deadly weapon at the minimum."

Another commented, "All because the flight was delayed. Absolutely ridiculous!" Another Twitter user shared, "They should have been thrown to the ground after the first bottle. Having a vagina doesn't give one the right to act like this and not expect a physical response."

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