Pilot Charged After Bizarre Attack Rampage At Denver International Airport
A United Airlines pilot has been charged in a very bizarre ax attack earlier this month in which he attacked a parking arm at the Denver International Airport employee parking lot, causing an estimated $700 in damage.
Police say the pilot, Kenneth Henderson Jones, told them "He just hit his breaking point."
Video of the attack on August 2nd obtained by CBS News Colorado showed the 63-year-old pilot armed with a full-sized ax.
In the video, the pilot swung at the exit gate arm 23 times until the parking lot arm is knocked off of its base.
After that, Jones scuffled at length a few minutes later with an employee of the airport who tried to take the ax. The pilot only surrendered the ax after a second employee came to intervene and help to wrestle the weapon away.
No injuries were reported from the struggle.
Jones has been charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 25th.
According to Russel Carlton, Corporate Communications Manager for United, said "He was removed from the schedule and is on leave while United conducts an internal investigation."
A police report said he was trying to leave but he said there were six cars in line at each of the three exit gates. Airport administrators said there have been issues with the lot lately because people don't park with the correct permits. Deputies said Jones told them he "was trying to get rid of issues for everyone waiting."
Video from the airport showed people assigned to the airport apprehending Jones in a nearby field and putting him in handcuffs. The video also shows the police letting him go a short time later.