Simik Ghookasian, a Los Angeles government contractor, was on a United Flight 2609 from LA to Boston on Sunday when a dramatic scene unfolded. A man, later identified as 33-year-old Francisco Severo Torres, tried to open an emergency door and attempted to stab a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon. Ghookasian, who has first aid and counter-terrorism training, quickly sprang into action and was among five or six passengers who restrained Torres and removed the makeshift weapon from his grasp.
The events unfolded rapidly, with Torres trying to open the door and then stabbing the flight attendant with the spoon. Ghookasian, who was sitting several rows behind Torres, described the scene as “total teamwork.” When he saw the broken spoon, he quickly asked a flight attendant for cable ties or duct tape and was able to use them to help restrain Torres.
The plane was about 45 minutes from Boston when the incident occurred, and the crew received an alarm that the side door had been disarmed. Torres had moved the door’s locking handle, but the flight attendants were able to notify the captain that he was a threat and the plane was landed as soon as possible. Torres was arrested and charged with interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon.
Francisco Severo Torres
In court documents, it was revealed that Torres told investigators he wanted to open the door so he could jump out of the plane, knowing that if he did many people would die. He also told investigators that he stabbed the flight attendant in an attempt to defend himself, believing the flight attendant was trying to kill him. Torres could face life in prison if convicted.
Despite the chaos, the incident was resolved quickly, with the flight attendants and passengers working together to restrain Torres. As Ghookasian described it, “Everything just exploded in a few seconds.” United Airlines has confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident, and Torres is detained pending a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
