An Ohio man was charged with attempted first-degree murder on a police officer after putting him in a chokehold so tight the cop started to “lose consciousness” at a Florida airport.
Footage of the bizarre incident captured on TikTok shows three officers collectively take down Edward Hariston, 41, moments after he hits the unnamed cop at Orlando International Airport Tuesday.
Hariston faces one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct.
Police said they responded to a report of a large group of enraged passengers yelling at Spirit employees near the ticket counter, according to an affidavit seen by Fox 35
That’s when all hell broke loose after one of the officers got a hold of Hariston and grabbed his arm.
An out of control Hariston resisted the officer and both started violently shoving one another — leading to a scuffle between the two on the floor, the video shows.
With Hairston gaining advantage of the officer, he then placed the tight chokehold on the cop to the point where they “began to get dizzy.”
“We both fell onto the ground and Hariston put one of his arms around my neck in a chokehold and began to squeeze, restricting my airway, making it unable for me to breathe,” the cop said.
“I began to get dizzy and immediately spotty as my airflow was restricted and I was beginning to lose consciousness.”
The cop was able to break free when the surrounding three cops swarmed to take down Hariston.
Video shows onlookers watching everything unfold, with one woman seen in the background screaming in disbelief.
According to the user who posted the vid on TikTok, their Spirit flight was canceled due to the chaotic scene.
“Just [witnessed] a guy take down a cop at the airport, we flying spirit, our [flight] got cancelled bro, ain’t having it,” the user captioned the video.
“Never flying with Spirit again,” one commenter said.
“This is the craziest s–t ever! You should be ashamed of yourselves @Spirit Airlines,” a replier bashing the airline said.
“It’s always something with Spirit…smh,” another reply said.