Flight Forced to Divert After ‘Unruly Passenger’ Yells ‘Racist Slurs’ at Staff

A Breeze Airways flight heading to Los Angeles from Virginia had to be diverted this week due to an “intoxicated” and “unruly passenger” onboard, according to reports.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, at approximately 11:15 a.m. local time, “officers with the Grand Junction Police Department responded to the Grand Junction Airport, located at 2828 Walker Field Drive, to assist with an unruly passenger,” per a police Facebook post, which was shared alongside a photo of a Breeze Airways plane.

Breeze Airways Flight MX704 took off from Norfolk International Airport in Virginia at 9:17 a.m. and was traveling to Los Angeles International Airport, per ABC News. However, according to the flight tracking site, Flightradar24, it ended up being diverted to Grand Junction in Colorado.

Police said, “Officers learned that an intoxicated male passenger became agitated, yelling racist slurs at airline staff while waving a skateboard,” according to the Facebook post.

“Airline staff placed the man in restraints twice, but he was able to break free both times. At no time did the suspect physically assault anyone, and no injuries were reported,” police added. 

The post continued, “Upon landing, the passenger was taken into custody by the Grand Junction Police Department at the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.”

The FBI’s Denver Field Office identified the suspect as David Leroy Carter Jr, 46, of Los Angeles, in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Breeze Airways said in a statement, “The plane was met promptly by local law enforcement officers, who restrained and removed the passenger from the aircraft,” per NBC News.

“One Flight Attendant and one Guest were evaluated for minor injuries. Our focus now is on taking care of our Crew and remaining Guests who have been unfairly inconvenienced by this unfortunate event and getting them safely to their final destination as quickly as possible,” the airline added, according to the outlet.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been 1,007 unruly passenger reports made in the U.S. in 2025 as of yet. The number has gradually decreased since reaching a high of 5,973 reports made in 2021.

Breeze Airways, the Grand Junction Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.