Man accused of attacking flight attendant at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport

PHOENIX — A man is accused of attacking a female flight attendant at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport in what authorities are calling a hate crime.

>> Read more trending news

Brandon Smith, 32, was arrested Friday and charged with three counts of assault and one count of probation violation, according to Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.

Smith is accused of attacking the flight attendant at about 2:15 a.m. local time as she was leaving the airport, according to KPNX-TV. The woman suffered minor injuries, police told KNXV-TV.

Police did not say specifically what Smith said to the victim that would be considered a hate crime, KPHO-TV reported.

Airport officials, in a statement, said that “we are very concerned about the assault of this employee and we commend her for her bravery and composure, which assisted police in quickly arresting the suspect.”

“I was shocked but not really shocked because I’ve seen what’s around in the area,” one flight attendant, who asked not to be identified, told KPHO. “And there hasn’t been security or whatnot up here.

“I’m always making sure if I am alone here at night, if I get off a trip we’re pretty good that we have co-workers, pilots or whatnot that we’re making sure we’re going in pairs,” she said.

©2022 Cox Media Group