A Canadian man has been taken into custody by authorities in Colombia after an incident at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
The man, identified as Vince Tony Sozio, allegedly punched a police officer and attempted to grab his handgun. The assault was captured on camera and shows Sozio striking the officer before being restrained by bystanders.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and Sozio has been referred for a psychiatric evaluation.
Video footage of the incident at El Dorado International Airport shows Sozio approaching police officer Jhon Lagarcha and launching a series of punches at him.
The incident took place in broad daylight, and the force of the blows is visible in the video. Fortunately, several individuals nearby quickly intervened and assisted in restraining Sozio, preventing any further harm. Law enforcement promptly arrested him, and he was taken into custody.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind Sozio’s attack on Officer Lagarcha. At the time of the incident, Sozio had arrived in Colombia just a few days earlier, on July 4. He did not have any luggage or a return flight ticket, raising additional questions about his intentions.
The sudden and unprovoked assault has led authorities to consider the possibility of mental health issues, prompting the decision to conduct a psychiatric evaluation.
The presence of bystanders during the assault played a crucial role in preventing the situation from escalating further. These Good Samaritans swiftly intervened and managed to restrain Sozio, ensuring the safety of the police officer and the public. Bogotá Metropolitan Police chief, General William Salamanca, commended the bravery and solidarity displayed by the community in stopping Sozio from gaining control of the officer’s service weapon.
Former Bogotá mayor, Enrique Peñalosa, also took to social media to denounce Sozio’s behavior and emphasize the importance of legal consequences for such actions.
The specific court hearing date has yet to be determined. If found guilty, Sozio could potentially face a prison sentence ranging from four to eight years.
