MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) — On a Sunday, June 29, a physical altercation occurred on a Frontier flight bound for Miami, leading to the arrest of a New Jersey resident who was taken off the aircraft in handcuffs, as reported by officials.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the fight began soon after Frontier Flight 1203 landed at Miami International Airport that morning.
The individual in question, Ishaan Sharma, 21, was on his way to his seat when he unexpectedly approached another traveler from behind and put his hands around the man’s neck, mentioned an arrest report sourced by NBC 6 South Florida. Deputies stated that the incident seemed to arise without any prior provocation.
Subsequently, the two passengers engaged in a fight, with footage recorded by two Instagram users displaying the passenger hitting Sharma multiple times. A flight attendant attempted to intervene as onlookers shouted, “Stop!” and “Let him go!”
The scuffle left Sharma with a cut to his left eyebrow. The victim also sustained minor cuts but refused medical treatment.
Deputies came on board and detained Sharma. Video showed him being led off the plane and through the airport in handcuffs. Officials said Sharma was treated at Jackson West Hospital and then taken into custody. He faces one count of battery.
Sharma appeared in court Tuesday, where his attorney claimed he had been meditating when he was confronted by the other passenger, according to reports by NBC affiliate WPLG.
“My client is from a religion where he was meditating,” Defense Attorney Renee Gordon said in court. “Unfortunately, the passenger behind him did not like that.”
A judge ultimately decided to issue Sharma a $500 bond and prohibited him from contacting the victim in person or on social media.
