Immigration-related drama continues to abound nationwide—even in the air. On March 5, passengers onboard an American Airlines flight endured a traumatic attack by a Texas man, Asterius Mutayoba Rulamka. The plane, traveling from Wichita to Washington, DC, was abruptly disturbed because he wanted to speak to President Donald Trump.
According to an FBI affidavit, Rulamka started the attack minutes before the plane landed at Washington Reagan Airport. The Tanzanian native first went after a male flight attendant, threatening to “f–k him up” as soon as they landed.
While Rulamka was at the back of the plane harassing the flight attendant, other passengers heard the ruckus. Soon enough, they took out their phones to record the incident. Unfortunately, the cameras further triggered him. Out of control, Rumlaka ripped one man’s glasses and hat off before smacking him. “At one point, he struck (the victim) in the face near his left eye, causing bruising and a bloodshot eye,” the document confirmed.
Rumlaka further hurled punches at another male passenger, who sustained injuries while trying to avoid him. He then began running up and down the aisle. Eventually, the crew and three other passengers restrained him.
Upon the flight’s arrival, authorities arrested Rumlaka, who is in his fifties, and he gave a statement. Per CBS, he mentioned “that he had come to DC to speak with President Trump.”
“When asked why he wanted to speak with the president, he said that he was ‘mad.'”
It turns out that in 2014, the Department of Homeland Security flagged Rumlaka for overstaying his visa. The immigration proceedings are pending in court. As for his mid-flight ruckus, he was charged with misdemeanor assault.
The troubling incident has caught the attention of Internet users. They believe Rumlaka’s attack proves that Trump’s harsh immigration policies are needed.
“This and other such videos should be in every Republican election ad — Here’s my opponent’s vision for America,” one user advised.
“I’m always amazed how these people have the money to buy plane fares,” one user wrote. “He overstayed his visa and would have been deported, but he actually thought he could get to the president and tell him that he was ‘mad?'”
Another user joked, “Not the easiest way to self-deport, but if it works for you.”
“This dude from Tanzania should be on an expedited deportation list after his misdemeanor matter is wrapped up and banned from future entry,” a third user suggested.
On Thursday, Rulumka will appear in federal court in Virginia for a preliminary hearing. The judge will determine if he should remain in jail pending trial.
