'Dark Laugh, Saying Things Like...': Indian-Origin Man Chokes Fellow Traveller Mid-Flight
A now-viral video shows Sharma standing and grabbing Evans by the throat, but he was quickly restrained as other passengers looked on.
An Indian-origin man from New Jersey has been charged with battery after a disturbing mid-flight incident aboard a Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami, where he allegedly assaulted a fellow passenger in what witnesses described as a bizarre and unprovoked outburst.
The accused, 21-year-old Ishaan Sharma, reportedly began behaving erratically as the flight neared Miami-Dade International Airport. Keanu Evans, the passenger seated behind Sharma, told WSVN that Sharma started muttering strange threats and let out a 'dark laugh" moments before lunging at him. 'He was doing some, like, dark laugh like, 'ha ha ha ha ha.' And he was saying things like, 'you punt, mortal man, if you challenge me, it will result in your death,'" Evans recalled.
Ishaan Sharma, 21, was arrested and charged with battery after the incident on a flight bound for Miami, Florida #frontier #southflorida #arrest pic.twitter.com/rUuRVpE7v9 — American Crime Stories (@AmericanCrime01) July 2, 2025
A now-viral video shows Sharma standing and grabbing Evans by the throat, but he was quickly restrained as other passengers looked on. Evans suffered minor scratches, while Sharma was left with a black eye and visible facial injuries.
Law enforcement later charged Sharma with battery. His legal team claimed he had been meditating and suggested the incident may have been sparked by seating discomfort.
Defence attorney Renee Gordon told the Daily Mail that her client belongs to a faith that practices meditation, suggesting the altercation may have been triggered by discomfort from the passenger seated behind him. The incident is still under investigation.
First Published:
July 04, 2025, 11:04 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
‘Drone Strike Near My Home': Indian Techie Lied During Op Sindoor To Skip Work, Says Ex-Boss
Soham Parekh allegedly manipulated his US employer by falsely claiming to be in a war zone during the India-Pakistan military standoff. Soham Parekh, the Indian tech professional embroiled in a massive moonlighting scandal involving over 30 startups, is now facing fresh allegations- this time of lying about being in a conflict zone during Operation Sindoor in order to avoid work. Arkadiy Telegin, co-founder of the US-based AI startup Leaping AI, claimed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that Soham Parekh emotionally manipulated him in May by pretending to be under threat during the cross-border escalation. According to Arkadiy Telegin, Soham Parekh falsely claimed that a drone had struck near his home in Mumbai. 'Soham used to guilt-trip me for being slow on PRs when the India-Pakistan thing was going on, all while he was in Mumbai," Arkadiy Telegin posted, sharing screenshots of their chat. In one message, Soham Parekh wrote, 'Drone shot down 10 minutes away", later adding that a nearby building was damaged- a claim now believed to be entirely fabricated. Arkadiy Telegin accused Soham Parekh of using the situation to stall work and deflect accountability, calling the incident 'manipulative and dishonest." He added sarcastically, 'The next person should hire him for the Chief Intelligence Officer role." The latest revelation follows an industry-wide uproar over Soham Parekh's admission that he was simultaneously employed by 34 different startups, many of them backed by leading accelerator Y Combinator. Suhail Doshi, former CEO of Mixpanel, was among the first to flag the issue, revealing that he terminated Soham Parekh within a week of hiring him. Other startup founders soon followed with similar experiences. One halted Soham Parekh's trial period after seeing Suhail Doshi's post while another said they discovered his overlapping employment only after conducting their own background check. Soham Parekh Admits To Deception Soham Parekh admitted to working multiple jobs without disclosure, saying, 'It is true. I'm not proud of what I've done. But I had to do this out of necessity. I was in extremely dire financial circumstances." He claimed to have handled all assigned work himself without outsourcing or relying on AI tools and said he worked up to 140 hours a week. Soham Parekh Now Hired By AI Startup Darwin Despite the controversy, Soham Parekh landed a new job with Darwin, a San Francisco-based AI startup. Darwin's CEO, Sanjit Juneja, expressed support for the hire, saying, 'Soham is an incredibly talented engineer, and we believe in his abilities to help bring our products to market." Soham Parekh confirmed that he has ended all other engagements and signed an exclusive agreement with Darwin. In a post, he wrote, 'I've been isolated, written off and shut out by nearly everyone I've known and every company I've worked at. But building is the only thing I've ever truly known, and it's what I'll keep doing."
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Top 10 celebrities convicted for crimes ranging from murder, rape to shoplifting: Diddy, Shiney Ahuja to Robert Downey Jr
Top 10 celebrity crime convictions: In a world where fame often brings power, influence, and adoration, it can be easy to forget that celebrities are still fallible – just as human, just as flawed as anyone else. But when public figures cross legal lines, the consequences unfold not just in courtrooms but also under the relentless scrutiny of the public eye. One name that recently forced this uncomfortable truth into the spotlight is Sean 'Diddy' Combs, the hip-hop mogul and music industry titan who, after years of whispers and lawsuits, has now been convicted in a federal court. In July 2025, a jury found Combs guilty on two felony counts of transportation to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act, a law dating back to 1910. These charges relate to the coerced travel of his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, and another woman identified only as 'Jane,' both of whom testified during the trial. Combs was acquitted on three other charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking. Still, the guilty verdict marks a seismic fall for the 55-year-old artist once synonymous with glamour, success, and cultural dominance. Diddy's story is far from unique. Over the years, several A-listers have been convicted of crimes — from drug possession and assault to manslaughter and tax evasion. This listicle delves into 10 high-profile celebrities with criminal records, focusing only on those with confirmed legal outcomes. Once a towering figure in global music, Diddy's legacy has been rocked by criminal convictions. In a 2025 federal trial, he was found guilty of two counts of transporting women – including ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura – for prostitution, under the Mann Act. Though acquitted of more serious charges like racketeering and sex trafficking, the felony convictions carry serious legal and reputational consequences. More fallout may follow. Attorney Tony Buzbee claims over 100 men and women have accused Diddy of rape and assault. One woman alleged she was gang raped at age 17 after being drugged at a 2003 party. While Combs's team dismisses the lawsuits as publicity stunts, the convictions have added weight to the mounting allegations. Sanjay Dutt's conviction remains one of the most talked-about legal sagas in Indian cinema. In 1993, following the devastating Mumbai bomb blasts, Dutt was arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) for illegally possessing an AK-56 rifle, which was part of a consignment linked to the bombings. Though he was acquitted of terrorism charges, he was convicted in 2006 under the Arms Act for illegal possession of firearms. After years of legal proceedings and appeals, Dutt was sentenced to five years in prison and ultimately served over four years, including time at Yerwada Central Jail. Before becoming Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. was one of Hollywood's most tragic cautionary tales. Struggling with addiction in the 90s, Downey was repeatedly arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine, and unlicensed firearms. He was famously found wandering into a neighbour's house under the influence and passed out in their bed. In 1999, after multiple probation violations, he was sentenced to three years in prison, though he served roughly a year before early release. In 2009, Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja was arrested for raping his domestic help—a case that sent shockwaves through the film industry. Though the victim later recanted her statement, the court found the original testimony credible and convicted Ahuja in 2011 under Section 376 (rape) and other charges. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, though he spent about three years in jail before being released on bail pending appeal. Wesley Snipes' high-flying Hollywood career hit a wall when he was convicted in 2008 on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. Prosecutors claimed he hadn't paid taxes for years, despite earning tens of millions. Though he was acquitted of the more severe felony tax fraud charges, he still served nearly three years in prison. In 1992, boxing champion Mike Tyson was convicted of raping 18-year-old Desiree Washington, a beauty pageant contestant, in an incident that took place at a hotel in Indianapolis in July 1991. The jury found Tyson guilty after about 10 hours of deliberation, rejecting his defense that the encounter was consensual. Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison and served approximately three years before being released on parole in 1995. The conviction shocked the sports world and dramatically altered Tyson's public image overnight, marking a significant turning point in his career. Despite this setback, Tyson later returned to the boxing ring and expanded his career into entertainment, including notable acting roles such as in The Hangover film series. In 2001, Stranger Things star Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting over $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Beverly Hills Saks Fifth Avenue store. She was later convicted of felony grand theft and vandalism, receiving three years' probation, 480 hours of community service, and fines. The incident damaged her career for years, leading to a hiatus from leading roles in Hollywood. Ryder eventually made a well-received comeback, and her 2000s-era troubles are now often seen as part of the conversation around mental health and celebrity pressure. Shia LaBeouf is known for his acting talent as well as his history of erratic behaviour and legal troubles. Over the years, he has been arrested multiple times for offenses such as disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and drunk driving. One of the most notable incidents occurred in 2017, when LaBeouf was arrested in Savannah, Georgia, for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. During this arrest, he was caught on camera making a racially charged outburst toward police officers. These incidents, along with other arrests for similar behavior, have contributed to his reputation for instability. LaBeouf has also faced civil lawsuits from former partners, most prominently from singer FKA Twigs, who accused him of sexual battery and emotional abuse. While he has not been criminally convicted in these civil cases, the combination of his legal issues and public controversies has overshadowed his career achievements, leading many to view him as a cautionary example of wasted potential in Hollywood. Before becoming a blockbuster actor and producer, Mark Wahlberg had a violent and troubling past. At 16, Wahlberg was charged with attempted murder after assaulting two Vietnamese men during a racially motivated attack. He was convicted of assault and served 45 days in prison. The case drew renewed attention in 2014 when Wahlberg applied for a pardon, sparking criticism from civil rights groups and raising questions about accountability and privilege. Wahlberg has publicly acknowledged his past and expressed remorse, though his request for a pardon was ultimately dropped. Phil Spector, the music genius behind the Wall of Sound, became infamous for a far more sinister reason. In 2009, he was convicted of second-degree murder for the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson, who was found shot in his mansion. The trial, his second, after a hung jury, ended in a conviction and a 19-years-to-life prison sentence. Spector died in custody in 2021.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Terrorists, living under fake identity, arrested in Tamil Nadu; 20kg explosives seized
Two alleged terrorists from Tamil Nadu nabbed here recently after 30 years lived under "fake identities," and nearly 20 kg of explosives were seized from them, police said on Thursday. Police said that the two arrested persons were involved in major terrorist activities that posed a serious threat to national security.(Representational Image/pexel) Abubacker Siddique, allegedly involved in the 2011 pipe-bomb planting attempt during BJP veteran and former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's rath yatra in Tamil Nadu's Madurai and his accomplice Mohammed Ali were arrested earlier from here. Siddique was involved in several bomb blasts in south India and was arrested by the Tamil Nadu's Anti Terrorism Squad from his hideout in Annamayya district, TN police had earlier said. On Thursday, Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen and Annamayya district SP V Vidyasagar Naidu said the arrests were made on Monday after Tamil Nadu police sought assistance from their Andhra Pradesh counterparts to track down Siddique and Ali. "These two were involved in major terrorist activities that posed a serious threat to national security," Praveen told reporters. Following their arrest, search operations were conducted at their residences on Kottapalli and Mehboob Basha streets in Rayachoti town. Both men had settled in the Rayalaseema town as small-time traders. Abubakar married five years ago, while Ali married locally a decade ago. During the searches, their wives, Saira Banu and Shaikh Shameem, allegedly obstructed the police and attacked female officers. Both women were arrested and sent to Kadapa jail. Other confiscated items include daggers, sickles, digital timers, clock switches, pull/pressure switches, gas tube arresters, speed controllers, ball bearings, nuts and bolts, binoculars, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, and hacking software. Police also seized maps of major Indian cities, coding manuals, ISIS-inspired literature, property documents, digital storage devices, cheque books, and financial records linked to suspicious transactions. According to police, the seized materials were sufficient to manufacture 50-60 IEDs or 8-10 high-impact suitcase bombs with a lethal radius of 30 metres, similar to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru last year. Octopus bomb disposal experts are assisting in the investigation. Police said the duo procured materials locally to avoid digital trails and used watch dials and plastic boxes to assemble the devices. Two cases have been registered at Rayachoti Urban Police Station under the Explosives Act, Arms Act, UAPA, and Section 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Naidu said the suspects are currently lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail. Andhra Pradesh police will seek custodial interrogation to uncover wider terror networks, funding sources, and additional plots. The duo was allegedly involved in the 1995 Egmore and Coimbatore blasts, the 1999 Kasaragod train blast, and the 2013 Malleswaram bomb case. Khan is also believed to have travelled to Gulf countries.
