Video shows passengers detaining man on Houston-bound Frontier Airlines flight after he punched window, broke plexiglass cover

HOUSTON — Cell phone video captured several passengers restraining a man on a Frontier Airlines flight from Houston to Denver.

But what happened before those dramatic moments is what scared Victoria Clark and her grandmother, Charlotte Jones.

“The lady in front of the gentlemen asked to move seats, and right when she did, he started kicking profusely and started punching the window,” Clark said.

The window was hit so hard that the plexiglass covering it broke.

“He was scary,” Clark said.

Our sister station in Houston was told the flight attendants went on the intercom to see if any law enforcement personnel were on board.

That’s when Tanner Phillips, who served in the army, and several others stepped in to help.

“He was very physical. I picked him up and put him on the ground. It took a couple of guys to get his arms behind him and secured,” Phillips said.

To do that, they used the only tools they had available: zip ties and a shoelace.

“There’s like lots of women and kids on the flight. Obviously, so I just wanted to help as much as I could. We put (our) hands on him and were able to secure him. Someone had zip ties, and someone else took their bootlace off and helped us out.”

The group managed to keep him restrained during the rest of the flight, but people’s minds weren’t at ease with the damaged window.

“You wonder about the air pressure and when you’re landing, is it going to blow the window out or something,” Jones said.

Luckily, they were able to land safely.

While passengers are thankful to be home, they hope to see more safety measures in the sky.

“Better security on board, maybe an air marshal, and training the flight attendants to de-escalate the situation. I mean, it felt like forever until somebody got to this man,” Clark said.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
'The Conners' cast gets sentimental ahead of the season finale

The actors of ‘The Conners’ show emotional feelings before the last episode of the season

It’s the beginning of the end for “The Conners” and the cast…
Mystery as major US city is hit by public health emergency with toxic chemicals filling the air

Unexplained Crisis Strikes Major US City: Toxic Chemicals Pollute the Air

A concerning air quality mystery has broken out in Chicago, as the…
‘The Valley’: Jax Taylor And Brittany Cartwright’s Fight Over His Cocaine Addiction Proved To Be One Of Bravo’s All-Time Darkest Moments

Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s argument about his cocaine addiction in ‘The Valley’ presents one of the most intense moments on Bravo.

During his time on Vanderpump Rules, Jax Taylor has been involved in…
Orders to leave the country - some for US citizens - sow confusion among immigrants

Confusion among immigrants as some Americans receive orders to depart the nation

In McALLEN, Texas, Hubert Montoya received an email from the U.S. Department…
My son was the final baby blessed by Pope Francis - here's why I know it wasn't just luck that the pontiff beckoned for our boy 'as one of his final acts'

How my son was the last baby blessed by Pope Francis and why I believe it was more than just good fortune when the pontiff called for our boy in one of his final acts.

A proud mum told last night how Pope Francis ‘doubled back’ to…
Scammers using new enhanced phishing emails with malicious links to hack victims, security experts tell ABC7 I-Team

Security experts inform ABC7 I-Team about scammers employing improved phishing emails with harmful links to compromise targets.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach by sending out increasingly…
Activist Nation: Judge Orders Plane Carrying Gangsters Kicked Out by Trump to Turn Around

The Department of Justice Charges 27 Members of Violent Tren de Aragua Crime Organization with RICO Offenses

The Justice Department on Monday filed multiple federal charges against 27 members…
Kristin Smart killer's Hail Mary attempt for reduced sentence criticized by AG: 'Meritless claims'

Attorney General criticizes Kristin Smart murderer’s attempt for reduced sentence as ‘unfounded claims’

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pushing back against Paul Flores, the…
Love of Subarus is what makes this man's car collection so unique

“The Unique Car Collection of a Subaru Enthusiast”

NEW YORK — The New York International Auto Show is packed with…
Tim Walz Posts Another Nasty Attack on Elon, But Gets Tripped Up by His Own Words

Tim Walz makes another negative comment about Elon Musk, but faces challenges due to his own statements

Media just can’t stop with the fake news and the misleading stories. …
New $1.1bn California capitol will have secret corridors to help lawmakers avoid press

California’s new $1.1 billion capitol building will feature hidden passageways for lawmakers to evade the media

A new $1.1 billion capitol building in California will have secret corridors…
Klaus Schwab Now Under Investigation by World Economic Forum

Klaus Schwab Faces Investigation by World Economic Forum

Well, isn’t this interesting? Klaus Schwab, the founder and chairman of the…