(The following story by Melissa Tresner was published in the January 7 online issue of the Longview, Texas, News-Journal.)
BIG SANDY, Texas — Passengers aboard an Amtrak train apparently took matters into their own hands Sunday when a man wielding a plastic knife threatened to kill them while screaming profanities against America.
“It could have been a lot worse. The passengers did a fantastic job of restraining him,” said Big Sandy Police Chief Ronnie Norman.
According to arrest reports, passengers already had Gerardo Damien Bedia, 21, restrained in an upstairs compartment when Big Sandy Police Officer William Lakes arrived on the scene just before 8 p.m. Sunday.
Amtrak personnel had contacted the agency, reporting a problem with an intoxicated passenger.
Witnesses told police that Bedia, armed with a knife, made threats against other passengers and said that “all Americans will die.”
Norman said the knife, described as a black all-plastic polymer folding knife, is typically used to defeat metal detectors.
He said police aren’t sure where Bedia resides or where he boarded the train, but his destination was Chicago.
“We haven’t been able to determine exactly where he’s from. We know he’s spent time in Pennsylvania,” Norman said.
The chief said Bedia apparently is a U.S. citizen and had Army identification.
According to officer statements, Bedia was screaming “I’ll kill you,” as well as profanities. He spoke in English as well as Spanish and “some kind of Middle Eastern language,” the report states.
Passengers and train personnel were visibly shaken but no one was injured in the incident, Norman said. He said the passengers should be commended for restraining the suspect and compared them to the United Flight 93 passengers, who attempted to overtake their hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001.
Reports show that Bedia repeatedly tried to kick the officer and take his weapon before being placed in custody and later told Lakes he would “die from a bullet to the head.”
The train was delayed about 30 minutes while officers took witness statements and took Bedia into custody.
Bedia was transported to the Upshur County Jail where he remained on Monday, charged with making terroristic threats. His bond was set at $10,000.
Norman said case information was forwarded to the FBI for review and wasn’t sure if Bedia would face other charges.