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A tropical escape to the Caribbean took an unexpected turn on Monday when an Alabama woman allegedly disrupted a flight with her aggressive behavior, leading to an emergency landing.
Ebony Shyteria Harper, a 31-year-old from Alabama, now finds herself behind bars following an altercation with two senior passengers during a Frontier Airlines flight. The incident occurred on Flight 2089, which departed from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico and was en route to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Documents obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that Harper was on her way to the aircraft’s restroom when she apparently invaded the personal space of a fellow passenger, Jimmie Lee Baker.
Harper, who faces charges of battery and battery against a person 65 or older, allegedly leaned her body onto Baker, who was seated in the last row of the plane. Witnesses reported that when Baker requested Harper to remove her arm from his back, the situation quickly escalated.
Witnesses say Harper allegedly “leaned” her body right onto Baker, who was sitting in the very last row. When the uncomfortable traveler asked the Alabama woman to move her arm off his back, things quickly deteriorated.
Instead of apologizing, police say that Harper allegedly reached out and began “touching” Baker’s face with her hands. That’s when his wife, identified as Lakisha Baker, stepped in.
Lakisha told Harper to back off her husband and Harper allegedly began “touching” the wife’s face too, police said. Lakisha reportedly struck Harper, and Harper began swinging back.
The airborne fist fight took another turn when a fourth passenger, identified as Annette Baker, tried to play peacemaker. She told police that Harper turned towards her and began “striking her numerous times with a closed fist” directly in the face.
The flight was diverted to Miami International Airport, where a welcoming committee of FBI agents and TSA officials was waiting at the gate to remove Harper off the aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital and said that they are continuing to investigate.
A Frontier Airlines Airbus A319 plane. (iStock)
While the victims managed to escape without visible wounds, according to the affidavit, they told authorities they want to press charges.
Harper is facing a felony charge of Battery on a Person 65 or Older and one count of misdemeanor battery. Harper was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she remains as of Wednesday afternoon.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Frontier Airlines for comment.
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