Pilots were forced to turn around a Miami-bound plane after a passenger heading to Haiti began attacking flight attendants during an extremely violent outburst blamed on ‘spiritual warfare,’ according to reports.
The shocking incident unfolded on Monday evening aboard an American Airlines flight departing Savannah, Georgia.
Less than a minute after takeoff, 31-year-old Delange Augustin began “stomping, incoherent yelling, and shaking” during what witnesses initially thought was an “epileptic fit,” according to a criminal complaint.
When flight crew approached to check on Augustin at his seat, he reportedly kicked one attendant in the chest so hard it sent her crashing into a window in the opposite aisle.
Attendants initially thought the suspect was have a medical issue, but quickly determined his actions were “purposeful, though difficult to describe.”
Augustin, described as a “black male of Haitian descent” by authorities, proceeded to kick and punch a seat in front of him, forcing the passenger in it to move before it ultimately collapsed.
Pilots decided to return to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport but when they landed, the suspect escalated his violence, grabbing his sister and another travel companion and dragging them to the front of the aircraft where he threw “haymakers” at a flight attendant, striking her at least once.
Witness footage shows a group of male passengers intervening to subdue Augustin, who reportedly swallowed rosary beads while on the ground.
Suspect of "Haitian Descent" Forces Miami-Bound Flight to Turn Back During 'Spiritual' Rampage
— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) March 14, 2025
Delange Augustin, 31, arrested after attacking flight attendants, destroying seat, swallowing rosary beads during American Airlines flight, FBI says
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The suspect maintained a firm grip on his sister’s hair, despite being tased at least three times by police officers, forcing them to cut the woman’s hair off, one passenger told CBS Miami.
Delange Augustin was taken into custody, while Medjina Augustin and a third person were also pulled off the plane.
FBI agent Savannah Solomon summarized a conversation with Medjina in the criminal complaint as follows:
The siblings were on their way to Haiti to flee religious attacks of a spiritual nature. The evil comes out in the darkness, and Medjina had never experienced as much darkness as was on the plane that evening. She was not surprised that AUGUSTIN had hurt anyone because he hurts evil. Medjina can feel the spiritual fight but cannot see, so she prays.
On the plane, AUGUSTIN told Medjina to close her eyes and pray because Satan’s disciple(s) had followed them onto the plane and the legion did not want the Augustins to make it to Haiti. AUGUSTIN told Medjina to never let go so she could not be taken away, and she prayed throughout the battle.
AUGUSTIN swallowed the rosary beads because they are a weapon of strength in the spiritual warfare. Medjina indicated AUGUSTIN was not suffering from any medical or mental health issue or impairment. Rather, AUGUSTIN needed to fight for both him and his sister.
Delange Augustin reportedly faces charges of battery, obstruction of law enforcement, and criminal damage.