He Built a Stabbing Weapon From Pens on an Alaska Airlines Flight. Then He Used It.

A passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Las Vegas used three pens and several hair bands to build a weapon in his seat. Then, federal prosecutors say, he turned toward the stranger sitting beside him.

He Selected His Victim Deliberately

Lopez’s victim was a stranger - a fellow passenger who had not spoken to him. According to court filings and Lopez’s own post-arrest interview, he selected the man because he believed the victim had been ‘looking at him in a harassing way.’ Lopez told investigators he had armed himself before the flight and that his intent was to ‘shove the homemade weapon into the victim’s brain.’ The victim suffered lacerations to his body and eye area requiring stitches.

The Attack, the Intervention, and What Lopez Told Investigators

Lopez approached the victim mid-flight and attacked him with the pen weapon. Other passengers intervened. The crew secured Lopez for the remainder of the flight, which landed without diversion. The victim was treated for his injuries.

After the flight landed, Lopez was taken into custody by Las Vegas police and interviewed by federal investigators. He waived his Miranda rights and admitted that he had armed himself with the homemade weapon, selected the victim because he believed the man had been looking at him in a harassing way, and tried to drive the weapon into the victim’s head.

Lopez faced federal charges of assault with a dangerous weapon within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.

Guilty Plea Announced July 2 - Sentencing Set for September

The Justice Department announced Lopez’s guilty plea on July 2, 2026, after he admitted to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2026, in the District of Nevada.

The FBI, Federal Air Marshal Service, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Court records describe the weapon as three pens bound together with hair bands.

Sentencing Is Scheduled for September

The victim has not been publicly identified and has not commented on the case. A federal judge is scheduled to sentence Lopez on September 22 after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

References: Man pleads guilty to stabbing on Vegas flight - DOJ | Guilty plea - Fox5 Las Vegas | TSA statement on in-flight stabbing

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