New Jersey Gun Range Owner Helps Restrain Melting Passenger on American Airlines Flight
A New Jersey gun range owner and his employee subdued a violent passenger on an American Airlines flight, leading to arrests and federal investigation.
POLICY WIRE — Newark, United States — A New Jersey gun range operator and his employee played a key role in subduing a disruptive passenger during an American Airlines flight last week, according to reports.
The incident occurred on Flight 618 from Dallas to Newark, where Richard O’Lenick, owner of Gun for Hire in Woodland Park, and his employee Luan Mejia, a retired police officer, intervened after the passenger began a violent outburst. The man, Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, was allegedly attacking other passengers and refusing to follow crew instructions.
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O’Lenick described the situation as highly volatile, with Lundeen launching into a racist and homophobic rant and physically assaulting others. The two men used duct-tape and zip ties to restrain him for about 15 minutes until the plane was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Lundeen was arrested upon arrival and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault, with the FBI now investigating potential federal charges.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
