When you do not get the answer you want from a Spirit Airlines check-in agent, the answer is not to attack the agent and then to attack the police officer who is called in to break up the fight. One Spirit Airlines passenger now faces an attempted murder charge after overpowering the officer and placing him in a chokehold.
Spirit Airlines Passenger Charged With Attempted Murder
As flagged by View From The Wing, this incident occurred last Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Spirit Airlines check-in counter in Terminal B at Orlando International Airport (MCO). We do not even know what prompted the fight in the first place, though with Spirit Airlines it is more often protest over baggage fees than anything else. In this case, however, the outrage may have stemmed from a cancelled flight, as Tuesday was a rough day. A group of passengers, including, 41-year-old Edward Hariston of Ohio, became “aggressive” prompting a call to law enforcement.
Harrison now faces charges including:
- attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer
- resisting arrest with violence
- battery on a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct
As Fox 35 Orlando details:
Investigators said Hariston was reportedly arguing with an employee when he reached behind the ticket counter, grabbed the computer keyboard, and began hitting buttons. That’s when a police officer tried to stop him and a fight started, according to an arrest report.
The officer said he grabbed Hariston’s arm to prevent him from damaging the property, and in response, Hariston grabbed the officer’s arm. The officer said he pushed Hariston to “create distance” and Hariston then grabbed the officer’s hands, lowered his body, and began pushing the officer backward.
“We both fell onto the ground and Hariston put one of his arms around my neck in a chokehold and began to squeeze, restricting my airway, making it unable for me to breathe,” the police officer wrote in the arrest report. “I began to get dizzy and immediately spotty, as my airflow was restricted, and I was beginning to lose consciousness.”
Here’s video from one angle:
View this post on Instagram
And from another (taken from a TikTok account that has been shut down):
CONCLUSION
Not much commentary here other than to say that cannot assault a police officer and expect to walk away. And all over what? A canceled flight? A baggage fee? People need to get a grip or stay home.
While the UA fiasco last week was definitely funny, I am glad you are back to contributing true top tier content, Spirit in Florida.
The pleasure is mine.
What does the idiot expect, in the middle of the fight everything stops, Spirit agent upgrades him, and the police hug him?
Has he ever thought of “huca”, hang up call again? Or walk away and plan travel strategy?
Recently, security in India seized a permitted item. I suspect they personally wanted it. Value was approximately $10 but no longer made so priceless in a way. Utter corruption . There was no way to check it in because I already passed exit immigration. I did not put the officer in a choke hold.
White people are a menace.
Possibly.
https://liveandletsfly.com/american-airlines-passenger-has-meltdown-over-imaginary-passenger/
You are very racist
Especially when the same chokeholds laws don’t apply to them. They overcharged that man.
Magic Johnson has really let himself Go!
With those chokehold skills I’m surprised the cops aren’t hiring him
That guy got it the wrong way. Police are allowed to put you in a chokehold without any repercussions, but you can’t do it to them.
Indeed, the irony is not missed.
It is ridiculous how many people stood with their phones out videoing rather than going to assist in breaking up the fight.
He was back at the airport in an hour. No one is held accountable for their actions. That’s why it never stops.
Is this actually true?
Earlier this year someone was trespassed from MCO for making a bomb joke… I can’t imagine they wouldn’t also trespass the person in this incident.
Angers me to watch people offer no assistance to a person being attacked. I hope all those who watched or those who slam law enforcement, think twice before calling 911.
Disgraceful. Hope this man get 25 yrs.
Both are lucky to be alive and either one of them could have died that day.
“I began to get dizzy and immediately spotty, as my airflow was restricted, and I was beginning to lose consciousness.”
It does not matter if it is a police officer or a civilian, when you are in that situation, and about to lose consciousness or die, that is the moment you do whatever you are able to do with whatever means available to you, to defend your life. It is your life or theirs, and the person chocking you does not care about yours.
That is my view on this. If you disagree and prefer to depend on the humanity of the person about to kill you, that is your life, your decision.
Just another day when flying on Spirit ..
I am not defending the guy for putting the police in a choke hold, but It makes me ask. What were the underlying issues that made him loose it. What’s going on in his personal life. Like his son was just got murdered or he just lost his job or he just found out his wife was having an affair. What’s the back story?
No, looking for a reason for this behavior is the shortest route to Dinduism. Guilty as charged, lock him up.
There’s lots more to say here actually. I hope every single officer who injured or killed someone from a choke hold move is also instantly charged with attempted murder.
That’s justice. Officers are to uphold and model the law, they aren’t above it.
If I would have been a witness to the events described, I would have taken the officer’s pistol and held it the the other guy’s head and shouted “Release him or else”.
He got what he deserved. Keep your cool. Next time take a train.