A United Airlines flight from Newark to New Orleans triggered a hijack alert after a man allegedly claimed he had a bomb and tried to enter the cockpit, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Fox News reporting.
What DHS and ICE say happened
“Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto allegedly attempted to storm the cockpit of a United flight while claiming to have a bomb, prompting a hijack alert,” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on X, attributing the events to the suspect. ICE’s post characterized the incident as an alleged act and did not report any injuries.
Onboard details reported
The Daily Mail reported that the pilots declared an in‑flight emergency and that no passenger injuries were reported. The outlet also said Gomez‑Alberto was described as speaking “no English.” Air traffic control audio referenced in coverage stated he “changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit.”
Arrest, charges, and detention
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported on X that Gomez‑Alberto was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after the flight landed in New Orleans and that United issued a hijack alert during the incident. Melugin said he was charged with felony bomb threat, terroristic threats, and disorderly conduct. Separately, Fox News reported the sheriff’s office booked him on charges of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing. ICE has lodged a detainer, according to Fox News. Fox News also reported Gomez‑Alberto is being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Louisiana.
DHS-cited immigration history
Melugin, citing the Department of Homeland Security, reported that Gomez‑Alberto is a Honduran national who crossed the Texas border illegally in 2011 and was deported, illegally re‑entered via New Mexico in 2014 and was deported again, and re‑entered in 2019 before an immigration judge ordered his release from custody.
