Julio Alvarez Lopez Pleads Guilty in 2024 Las Vegas Flight Pen-Stabbing Attack

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 3

Federal prosecutors said Julio Alvarez Lopez pleaded guilty Thursday to assault with a dangerous weapon for attacking a passenger on a Seattle-to-Las Vegas flight on Jan. 24, 2024.
Lopez admitted he bundled three pens with hair bands before boarding and tried to stab the man through the eye to reach his brain, telling investigators he had planned to attack and kill him.
About 30 minutes before landing, Lopez left his seat, returned from the restroom and launched the assault; the victim suffered eye-area injuries requiring stitches, and his wife was struck while shielding their 7-year-old son.
A sworn law enforcement officer ordered Lopez to sit down, and passengers and crew restrained him with flex cuffs until the plane landed safely in Las Vegas, where police took him into custody.
Investigators said Lopez claimed he believed the victim was "the Cartel" following him; he is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22.