The FBI has arrested a Norwegian cruise ship employee in Alaska for allegedly stabbing three people with medical scissors while on board the ship, according to reports.
The Juneau Empire newspaper, citing an affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Matthew Judy, said the suspect was identified as Ntando Sogoni, a South African native who had recently been hired by Norwegian Jeanne Airways and who arrived at the airline’s airport in Seattle on Sunday. It was reported that he boarded the cruise ship “Encore.”
That day, the ship departed on a week-long round trip to Alaska, with stops in Glacier Bay National Park and Victoria, British Columbia.
“According to court documents, on May 6, 2024, Ntando Sogoni, 35, was working on a cruise ship when other sailors witnessed the defendant attempting to deploy a lifeboat.” The Alaska District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. .
“Sogoni was contacted by the ship’s security and escorted to the ship’s medical center for examination.
“Upon arrival, Sogoni physically attacked a security guard and a male nurse inside the exam room and attempted to enter another exam room where a female U.S. citizen was being examined,” the statement continued.
“The man grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed the woman multiple times in the arm, hand and face. He also stabbed two security guards who intervened, one in the head and the other in the back and shoulder.”
Sogoni, who was being held in the ship’s detention center, was arrested by the FBI in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday, officials said.
He is currently charged with assault with a dangerous weapon within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Norwegian did not immediately respond to a request for comment from FOX Business.
The alleged stabbing occurred while the ship was passing west of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on its way to Alaska, the Associated Press reported.
