“Son of God” Attacks Fellow Passenger in Airport Security Line
Jeff Edwards December 22, 2015
A 23-year-old man is accused of injuring a mother of two by putting the woman in a choke-hold as she waited in an airport security line.
A mother traveling with her two children at Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) had a much worse experience with airport security on Saturday than most holiday travelers this year. Prosecutors say that during an unprovoked and violent incident, 23-year-old Derek Tyler Chapman grabbed the unidentified woman from behind and put her in a suffocating choke-hold. The passenger is said to have put his hand over the woman’s mouth while wrapping his arm around her throat.
The victim managed to break free from the attack and Chapman reportedly walked away following the alleged incident. When police caught up with Chapman some time later, he identified himself as “the Son of God” and said he was “told to take the Devil to Hell.” Chapman explained to investigators that he felt compelled to attack the stranger in front of him in line because he “got a bad vibe” from her.
The injured victim told police that she would like to press charges but had a flight to catch. According to the Austin American-Statesman, officers decided that Chapman was a danger to the public and took him into custody even though his victim had departed the airport on her flight. He was charged with misdemeanor assault causing injury and remains in custody.
[Photo: Austin Police Department]
He was feeling "uncomfortable" with this lady, and he didn't have his emotional support animal. So, where's the problem ?
Two things come to mind here... 1) This occurred in front of a security checkpoint, and it says the woman "broke free" from the attacker, with no mention of security or airport police assisting? What are these guys for if not this sort of thing? 2) An unprovoked and potentially deadly attack on a complete stranger is only a misdemeanor? From the attacker's own confession, this sounds like an attempted murder. What a world we live in...
Keep Austin weird!
Isn't it bad enough being assaulted by TSA agents if you have metal parts in your body and now we need to worry about passengers behind us?