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An irate passenger caused a scene after a heated exchange with his wife, lunging at an off-duty officer who was attempting to de-escalate the situation as they boarded a Southwest Airlines flight, according to dramatic footage captured on Friday.
Marcial Martinez, 32, aggressively confronted the officer, who was significantly taller, on a Denver-bound Southwest flight at Miami International Airport, NBC Miami reported. This confrontation occurred shortly after Martinez had boarded the aircraft.
The officer, affiliated with the US Department of Energy, was initially pushed back but managed to hold his position as Martinez continued his outburst, clinging to the officer’s waist, the video reveals.
In the ensuing struggle, the undercover officer successfully subdued Martinez by pressing him against the wall, effectively stopping his aggressive actions, as seen in the footage shared by the news outlet.
Another perspective of the incident’s beginning stages shows Martinez maneuvering around the officer, imploring his wife to accompany him as tensions escalated.
While Martinez continues to call for his partner, the bespectacled victim mouths directions to the flight attendants. He remains planted in the aisle, acting as a human shield between Martinez and his wife.
After a few moments, Martinez appeared to give up, huffing “f–k you guys” before heading for the exit.
Martinez was disruptive from the moment he stepped onto the aircraft, according to an arrest report obtained by the outlet.
The arrest report also stated that the victim is an officer with the US Department of Energy, though his exact role is unclear.
The victim told police that Martinez had “bloodshot eyes” and “an odor of alcohol,” according to the report.
Martinez tried to play it off as an argument with his wife that got out of hand because the victim intervened.
He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correction Center on charges of battery and disorderly intoxication by the end of the day, the outlet reported.