Man violates TSA and tries to break into cockpit

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On October 22, 2024, a Missoula Airport Police Officer heard TSA officers yelling “Hold him!” These screams were followed by more screams: “Break, break, break!” At the same time, Alaska Airlines Flight 697 had recently landed and was departing at Gate A1.

A man, later identified as 34-year-old Justin Seymour, entered the airport and unlawfully broke through the TSA security line. TSA officers and the airport officer began pursuing Seymour as he ran toward the plane's gates.

At Gate A1, Seymour began to move down the jet bridge when a Horizon employee stood in his way and intentionally prevented him from boarding the aircraft. Seymour then ran into the employee, knocking her out of the way and onto the ground. Seymour caused bodily harm to the employee. Specifically, it is believed that Seymour's push caused the employee to strain her tendon muscles that connect to her collarbone.

Since the employee was no longer in his way, Seymour boarded the aircraft and made his way to the cockpit. An Alaska Airlines flight attendant saw Seymour board the plane and all she could think about was keeping him off the flight deck. Seymour approached and pushed the flight attendant through the cockpit door.

Another flight attendant tried to distract Seymour, trying to get him to turn away from the cockpit door for a moment. While they tried to distract Seymour, the other flight attendant attempted to turn the latch on the cockpit door to protect the cockpit from Seymour's entry. Seeing this, Seymour attempted to enter the cockpit again, crushing the flight attendant's hand and fingers between the cockpit door and the door frame.

The police officers finally caught up with Seymour. As they boarded the plane, Seymour shouted that he had to go to Estonia. Police officers grabbed Seymour's arms, removed him from the plane and handcuffed him.

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports

According to court documents, Seymour told officers, “I just had to fly the plane, but I didn't do that.” . I thought I could do it. “Seymour further shared that “bad people” told him to take the plane to Seattle and then to Estonia. When asked if he knew he had walked through security, Seymour replied, “I walked through.” Seymour was also asked if he knew how to fly a plane and replied, “It seems easy enough “To learn it.”

Seymour was arrested and taken to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. His bail was set at $500,000.