Breeze flight diverted to Grand Junction after unruly passenger

A Breeze Airways flight bound for Los Angeles was diverted to Grand Junction, Colorado, after an unruly, apparently intoxicated passenger shouted racial slurs, waved a skateboard and fought with crew members midflight. The suspect, a 46-year-old Los Angeles man identified by federal authorities, was taken into custody once the plane landed, and authorities said charges will be determined by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado. No serious injuries were reported, though one flight attendant and one passenger were treated for minor injuries.

Flight MX704 departed Norfolk International Airport in Virginia shortly after 9:15 a.m. local time and was en route to Los Angeles International Airport when the disturbance occurred about four hours into the journey. Grand Junction Police reported that the intoxicated man became agitated, shouting racist slurs at airline staff while waving a skateboard. Airline personnel twice restrained the man, but he managed to break free each time. The incident prompted the crew to divert the aircraft to Grand Junction Regional Airport, where law enforcement met the plane after its landing and detained the passenger.

Airline officials indicated that the...