Leominster man charged in rampage on Boston-bound flight ordered to undergo mental health evaluation

BOSTON — A federal court judge ordered a mental health evaluation Thursday for the Massachusetts man accused of attacking a flight attendant after attempting to open an airliner’s emergency door on a Boston-bound flight.

Francisco Severo Torres, a 33-year-old Leominster native who has a history of mental health struggles, is charged with one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Video captured by Lisa Olsen, who was seated a couple of rows in front of Torres on a United Airlines flight that departed Los Angeles on March 5, captured video that showed him hurling threats before charging at a flight attendant with a broken metal spoon. Federal investigators said Torres struck her three times in the neck area.

WATCH: Video shows Mass. man allegedly trying to open cabin door, stab attendant on Boston flight

This flight was just 45 minutes from landing at Logan when the scary moments on board happened. Olsen said Torres had somehow managed to break out of zip tie restraints.

“Tell them to bring SWAT because they’re going to have to shoot me down today,” Torres is heard saying on cellphone video. “Where are they diverting us? Wherever it is there’s going to be a blood bath everywhere.”

Passengers tackled Torres and he was restrained with the assistance of the flight crew. Torres was immediately taken into custody by state police upon the flight’s arrival at Logan Airport.

An examination of the door that Torres allegedly tampered with revealed that the locking handle had been moved out of the fully-locked position – approximately a quarter of the way towards the unlocked position – and that the emergency slide arming lever had been moved to the “disarmed” position.

The attendant who was attacked is said to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Witness: ‘Out-of-control’ Mass. man accused of attacking attendant on flight broke out of restraints

Torres has struggled with mental health issues in the past, according to federal court documents and a local police chief who says officers have dealt with him several times since 2014. Sometimes, neighbors called the police after spotting him outside his house, scantily clothed.

On Feb. 25, 2023, just days before the in-air mayhem, Torres walked into Fresh Cuts barbershop in Leominster, made “crazy statements,” and started exhibiting concerning behavior, a Leominster Police Department report indicated.

Witnesses told the department that he told customers in the barbershop that he was “half angel and half devil” and that “groups of people were after him “with AR-15s.”

The barbershop owner called police after Torres left, but no charges were filed because they couldn’t find him.

In 2015, Torres was arrested by Fitchburg Police for assault with intent to rob charges after he allegedly handed a clerk at Michelle’s Variety Beer and Wine a note that had the word “gun” in it. According to the case report, a Fitchburg officer reported that Torres may have some form of mental illness after he began talking about the Patriot Missle Act and asked police if he looked like a terrorist.

Torres also allegedly called his mother and told her that he had thought about suicide earlier in the day.

According to court documents, he was charged in 2017 involving a domestic incident with a family member but those charges were dropped. Included in the case file was a rambling letter addressed to a Massachusetts judge in which Torres wrote about being watched and being the subject of false reports, time he spent on the streets of Los Angeles, his artwork, and fear that a doctor was bribed to interfere with his wellbeing. The letter concluded with the accusation that a large part of his community “is keeping a secret.”

Torres has spent time in a few Massachusetts mental health facilities, according to federal court documents. Boston 25 has learned Torres has sued them both.

In March 2021, Torres sued the state-run Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, alleging medical malpractice for misdiagnosis. That suit was dismissed several months later.

He also sued Fuller Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts, last May, alleging his constitutional rights were violated because he was a vegan and was denied almond milk. The suit was dismissed in June.

In both cases, he acted as his own attorney.

Torres is also accused of attacking two guards on Tuesday at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where he was being held. According to court documents, Torres struck the officer in the face a few times.

The judge said another detention hearing for Torres would take place after the mental health evaluation was completed.

He could face life in prison if convicted.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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