Man arrested after breaching security, assaulting officers at Chicago airport

Malik Steffon Neal mugshot

An incident at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport early Sunday morning left four law enforcement officers injured and the man who assaulted them behind bars.

Malik Steffon Neal, 21, was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated battery and criminal trespass to state land. He is currently being held without bond.

Neal is accused of forcing his way through security to reach a restricted area at the airport just before 5 a.m. Authorities say, for reasons unknown at this time, Neal was trying to get aboard a plane without a boarding pass but was unsuccessful.

As officers attempted to stop Neal, he responded by hitting two Chicago police officers and two TSA agents in the face and body. One Chicago cop was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, while a second was treated on the scene. The extent of the TSA agents’ injuries is unknown.

Neal was also transported to a local hospital for a psychological evaluation.

The incident came just two days after a gunman opened fire inside a Fort Lauderdale airport, killing five and wounding six.

[ Chicago Tribune ]

Read More On:

Latest Reviews

revolver barrel loading graphic

Loading