A week and a half ago at the Salt Lake City airport, a man walked up to an airport police officer – and punched him in the head. On March 12, a 33 year old man’s first interaction with two officers was to drop his carry on bag, punch one of them, and then try to hit the other.
He had the presence of mind to know what he was doing – and what was coming next. So he dropped right to his knees on his own and placed his hands behind his head for arrest.
Here’s both airport surveillance camera footage and an officer’s body cam footage of the incident.
According to Salt Lake City police,
This incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m. on Saturday March 12, 2022, when a 33-year-old man approached two SLCPD officers as they conducted foot patrols on the lower level of the airport concourse.
The man, without warning, dropped his bag and then punched an officer in the head, nearly knocking him to the ground. After the punch, the man turned his attention toward the second officer and appeared to throw a second punch but immediately transitioned into a position of surrender and put his hands up.
Officers safely took the man into custody and booked him into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a charge of Assaulting a Police Officer. The case is now referred to the United States Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.
Assaulting an officer is an almost certain beat-down, if not on the spot then later. Immediate surrender is one way to reduce the likelihood of a retaliatory strike right away, though perhaps not a delayed response while in custody.
It’s unclear what motivated the man, but an assault on an officer is a sure way to get arrested in a hurry. It’s one strategy to employ when needing protection from imminent harm – perhaps you take personal risk attacking the officer to save your life, figuring you’re safer in the custody of law enforcement then out in the open where you’re a bigger target. Not everyone agrees.
(HT: MilesQuest)
How odd…..
He needs to escape from his wife or ex…….
Anyone that wants to deny the US is a shithole and in serious decline is as delusional as the idiot punching cops for no reason. Everyday that goes by it confirms my decision to leave.
Well, Ray, don’t let the door hit your fat ass on your way out of the country. Maybe try Ukraine as a destination, so you can help them fight an even worse country than this.
to even suggest that he did it to save his life is ridiculous, Gary Left. In an airport, where everyone is screened, of all places?
Hey Ray,
Why, if we are such a shithole are they still swarming to get into our country? Maybe you may find yourself in that line after trying elsewhere cause I really dont know where else you can go just waltzing in expecting to stay. I believe in my country, and yes, it is, and has been under bad managment from both sides of the aisle but we continue to be the light of the world. Good Luck to You.
Darwin Award nominee in training?
Isn’t that a plot device in many caper movies? It’s some sort of distraction before the heist/getaway.
@Joanie Adams: are you suggesting the cream of the crop is “swarming” to get into the US? Not happening. Nothing wrong with those trying the Southern border but the GOP says they are murderers and rapists with sprinkling of drug dealers. And yes, there are countries you can apply with a background check and enough financial stability to “waltzing”.
I stand by my comment: the US has declined to shithole status.
@The Masked Poster: your comment makes my point.
Utah Man tells Florida Man to hold his beer.
This is a ridiculous statement:
“Assaulting an officer is an almost certain beat-down, if not on the spot then later.”
@Ray
They are mostly low iq third worlders.
@kl, this happened outside the secure area
And because he was white wasn’t shot first and ask questions later. That is the concept of white privilege, that you are ok to be crazy and not get retaliation later that costs you your life