A 21-year-old Indian-origin man was arrested in Miami after a violent confrontation with another passenger aboard a Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami on Monday. The accused, Ishaan Sharma, reportedly attacked fellow traveller Keanu Evans without provocation, leading to injuries on both sides.

According to eyewitnesses, the conflict began shortly after the flight took off. Evans told reporters that Sharma was behaving oddly, making unsettling statements, including death threats. “He was doing some, like, dark laugh like, ‘Ha ha ha ha ha.’ And he was saying things like, ‘You puny, mortal man, if you challenge me, it will result in your death,’” Evans recounted.

Evans said he reported the disturbing conduct to the flight attendants and was instructed to press the assistance button if Sharma continued. Soon after, Sharma allegedly confronted Evans aggressively. “He just got up, put his forehead on mine like he was challenging me, and then grabbed me by the throat and started choking me,” Evans explained. “At that moment, it was fight or flight… all I could do was defend myself.”

Video of the Brawl Went Viral

Passengers filmed the brawl, which showed the two men exchanging blows as others and crew members tried to break it up. A voice can be heard pleading, “Let him go. Stop, let him go,” while a crew member urged, “Sir, you have to sit down.” Despite the intervention, the fight went on until the plane landed.

Both men suffered injuries during the struggle. Sharma sustained a cut above his left eyebrow, while Evans had minor scratches on his face. After the altercation, Sharma reportedly smiled and took selfies showing his injured face before being taken into custody by police at Miami International Airport. He was treated at Jackson West Hospital prior to booking.

During the court hearing, Sharma’s defense attorney said the incident resulted from a misunderstanding. “My client is from a religion where he was meditating. Unfortunately, the passenger behind him did not like that,” attorney Renee Gordon said. However, the judge did not accept this argument and set Sharma’s bond at $500. A stay-away order was also issued, barring him from contacting Evans or going near his school or workplace.

Evans expressed disappointment over the situation, saying, “I don’t want people to get the wrong idea about who I am. I’m a good person. I recently got baptised. I just wish I had been more firm in asking to be moved away from him.”

Frontier Airlines has yet to comment publicly on the incident.