Enraged Spirit Airlines customer charged with attempted murder after allegedly placing cop in chokehold: 'I was beginning to lose consciousness'

An Ohio man who berated Spirit Airlines employees at an airport in Florida was arrested after he allegedly placed a cop in a chokehold so strong that the man began "to lose consciousness."

Tensions between the economy airline and its prospective passengers once again boiled over at Orlando International Airport on Tuesday evening. The cause of the unrest is unclear, but at some point, what has been described as "a large group" of customers began yelling at Spirit employees standing behind the ticket counter.

Among those in the outraged mob was 41-year-old Edward Hariston. According to reports, Hariston's behavior got so out of control that he reached over the counter and began pounding on keys on a Spirit computer keyboard. An airline ticket agent also alleged that Hariston had assaulted him. A woman reportedly associated with Hariston likewise stood on the baggage scale and began screaming at Spirit attendants.

To prevent Hariston from damaging any of the airline's property, a police officer responding to the incident grabbed the arm Hariston was using to press the keys. In response, Hariston supposedly grabbed the officer's arm and managed to overpower him, forcing him to the ground and placing him in a firm chokehold.

"We both fell onto the ground and Hariston put one of his arms around my neck in a chokehold and began to squeeze, restricting my airway, making it unable for me to breathe," the officer said in a statement recorded on the affidavit. "I began to get dizzy and immediately spotty as my airflow was restricted and I was beginning to lose consciousness."

Other officers soon swarmed the area and restrained the suspect so that their incapacitated colleague could break free, which he did. Hariston was arrested and then taken to the hospital for evaluation. There have been no reports that he suffered any injuries during the incident.

The cop involved in the altercation made a quick recovery and was able to return to work almost immediately. The cop also added that he later overheard the suspect say that he "could’ve killed" the officer but instead "let [him] live."

Hariston has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct. As of Friday afternoon, he remains in custody in the Orange County jail on $50,000 bond.

The arrest of the suspect was captured by a fellow Spirit customer, who then shared the video on TikTok. According to TikTok user @leximaarieee, their flight was canceled on account of the melee. "Never flying with spirit again," Lexi wrote in a message.

Spirit Airlines did not respond to a request for comment from FOX 35 Orlando, and the public defender's office representing Hariston did not respond to a request for comment from WKBN.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!