A midair passenger assault forced a commercial flight to divert after a violent dispute erupted onboard. Authorities say the incident involved a passenger accused of attacking elderly travelers during a flight. The disturbance unfolded aboard a plane operated by Frontier Airlines traveling between Puerto Rico and Georgia. Officials confirmed that crew members redirected the aircraft after the midair passenger assault created safety concerns. Law enforcement officers later arrested the suspect after the plane landed safely in Miami.
Investigators say the confrontation began during a flight departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico. The aircraft was traveling toward Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport when tensions escalated between passengers on board. Authorities identified the suspect as Ebony Shyteria Harper, a thirty-one-year-old woman from Alabama. According to police documents, Harper walked toward the rear of the aircraft during the flight. Investigators say she attempted to pass near passengers seated in the final row.
Witnesses reported that Harper leaned against a seated passenger while moving through the aisle. The man, later identified as Jimmie Lee Baker, asked her to remove her arm immediately. Authorities say the request quickly triggered a confrontation that escalated within seconds. According to investigators, Harper allegedly began touching Baker’s face after he complained. The situation intensified as nearby passengers reacted to the unusual and uncomfortable encounter.
Baker’s wife, Lakisha, intervened when she saw the interaction between her husband and Harper. Police reports indicate she asked Harper to stop touching her husband and move away. Investigators say Harper allegedly repeated the same behavior toward Lakisha during the argument. At that point, tensions escalated, and the dispute turned physical inside the crowded aircraft. Witnesses described the event as a sudden midair passenger assault that alarmed nearby travelers.
Another passenger named Annette Baker, attempted to calm the dispute during the confrontation. However, investigators say Harper allegedly turned toward the woman and began striking her repeatedly. According to statements collected by authorities, the blows were delivered directly to the victim’s face. The altercation forced crew members to quickly intervene while monitoring passenger safety. Pilots then decided to divert the aircraft toward Miami International Airport to address the situation.
Federal authorities waited at the gate when the aircraft arrived safely in Miami. Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they are reviewing details of the incident. Investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also responded to the airport after the diversion. Officers removed Harper from the aircraft while questioning witnesses about the midair passenger assault.
Authorities say the victims did not appear to suffer visible injuries during the confrontation. However, they informed investigators that they intend to pursue criminal charges against Harper. Prosecutors charged the suspect with felony battery against a person older than sixty-five. She also faces an additional misdemeanor charge related to the alleged onboard assault. Police later transported Harper to a Miami correctional facility, where she remains in custody.
