Salt Lake City police officer assaulted at airport, bystander jumps in to help subdue suspect, video shows

Salt Lake Metropolis police have launched video displaying a bystander leaping in to assist an officer who was being assaulted whereas arresting a suspect on the metropolis’s airport final month.

The incident unfolded after a 28-year-old man rushed previous Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) officers screening passengers at a safety checkpoint in Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport on February 17, Salt Lake Metropolis police stated.

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A law enforcement officials assigned to the division’s airport division witnessed the disturbance and instantly intervened to cease the person from bypassing the safety checkpoint. 

Whereas being positioned in handcuffs, the suspect all of the sudden started resisting the officer and tried to interrupt free, based on authorities.

Surveillance and police bodycam footage reveals the suspect repeatedly punching and kicking the officer as he was being positioned in handcuffs. Through the wrestle, an airline passenger noticed the assault and jumped in to assist the officer.

The passenger, later recognized as Enrique Rodriguez, a retired regulation enforcement member, might be seen on video taking the suspect all the way down to the bottom and holding him whereas the officer places on {the handcuffs}.

A bystander in a blue t-shirt noticed the suspect making an attempt to interrupt free and jumped in to assist the officer.
(Salt Lake Metropolis Police Division)

“When one thing like that occurs, it’s a must to assume the worst to be ready to deal with any state of affairs that arises,” Rodriguez instructed FOX13 Salt Lake Metropolis.

An investigation decided that the suspect, who wasn’t instantly recognized, wasn’t a ticketed passenger and had no enterprise on the airport, authorities stated.

Police referred case to the FBI and U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for federal prosecution.

A second assault on a police officer occurred on the airport lower than a month later, police stated.

A 33-year-old man walked as much as two Salt Lake Metropolis law enforcement officials patrolling the airport’s concourse on March 12, all of the sudden dropped his bag and punched one officer within the head, authorities stated.
(Salt Lake Metropolis Police Division)

A 33-year-old man walked as much as two officers on patrol contained in the airport and punched one officer within the head, based on authorities. The person instantly surrendered and put his arms up after putting the officer. He was arrested and booked into jail on a cost of assaulting a police officer.

“These incidents present a complete disregard for primary dignity and respect. This conduct can put our officers, airline passengers and airport workers in danger, and I hope a majority of these assaults finish now,” stated Police Chief Mike Brown, including that he’s grateful for the division’s companions at TSA and the airport. 

Police stated that incidents of resisting arrest and assaults on law enforcement officials in Salt Lake Metropolis rose 16.33% in 2021.