NEWARK, N.J. – Two men affiliated with New Jersey shooting range Gun For Hire found themselves in the middle of an airborne emergency when a passenger allegedly became violent aboard an American Airlines flight headed for Newark.
Richard O’Lenick, Gun For Hire owner and CFO and Juan Mejia, Gun Store sales manage were aboard American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark on Sept. 3 when the disturbance escalated more than halfway through the flight. According to the company’s account, the two stepped in after the situation became physical and helped restrain the passenger until the plane diverted to Baltimore.
- Rich and Juan from Gun For Hire helped restrain a disruptive passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 618.
- The passenger was secured using zip ties and duct tape after allegedly becoming violent.
- The Newark-bound flight diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where law enforcement took over.
Newark-Bound Flight Diverts After Passenger Becomes Physical
Gun For Hire described the incident simply: “When the situation turned physical, they stepped in.”
According to the company’s summary of national and local reporting, the disturbance happened after the flight was already well underway.
The passenger allegedly became violent, prompting crew members and passengers to intervene. Rich and Juan assisted in restraining the individual with zip ties and duct tape.
The improvised restraint quickly became one of the most talked-about details from the flight, with photos and video circulating widely after the plane landed.
“Rich and Juan from Gun For Hire were aboard American Airlines Flight 618 when a disruptive passenger became physical,” Gun For Hire said. “They stepped in, helped restrain him, and stayed with the situation until law enforcement took over after the flight diverted to Baltimore.”
Law Enforcement Removes Passenger in Baltimore
The flight did not continue directly to Newark.
Instead, the aircraft diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where law enforcement officers boarded and removed the passenger.
Gun For Hire said Rich and Juan remained involved until authorities took control of the situation.
The company has since collected television, digital and other media coverage surrounding the incident on a page it titled “The Duct Tape Flight.”
The episode gave the New Jersey-based business an unexpected national spotlight, not for something that happened at its range, but for the actions of two of its staff members thousands of feet in the air.
Incident Draws National Attention
Photos and video from the flight spread quickly, in large part because of the unusual way the passenger was restrained.
The Newark destination also gave the story a direct New Jersey connection.
Gun For Hire, based in Woodland Park, has long been one of the state’s better-known commercial shooting ranges. Its employees’ involvement in the flight incident has now become part of the company’s public story.
“They stepped in, helped restrain him, and stayed with the situation until law enforcement took over,” the company said.
Rich and Juan were passengers on the Newark-bound flight.
Both are affiliated with Gun For Hire and were traveling aboard American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth when the disturbance occurred.
The passenger was restrained with zip ties and duct tape.
Gun For Hire said Rich and Juan helped the crew and other passengers secure the disruptive passenger after the incident became physical.
The flight diverted to Baltimore.
Law enforcement took over after the aircraft landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Sources: Gun For Hire – The Duct Tape Flight
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