A Norwegian Cruise Line employee was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of stabbing multiple people during an Alaska cruise.
According to an affidavit signed by Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Matthew B. Judy, the crew of Norwegian Encore saw Ntando Sogoni attempting to deploy a lifeboat late Sunday night. That’s what it means.
Sogoni, a South African national, was boarding the ship in Seattle that day.
Ship security personnel took him to a medical center for evaluation. According to his affidavit, when he was taken to an exam room, he “became irrational and attempted to leave” and attacked a security guard and a male nurse.
He then ran to another exam room, grabbed scissors and stabbed a 75-year-old woman who was there for a medical evaluation “several times in the arm, hand and face.” The woman was a U.S. citizen.
“Security officers intervened and Sogoni stabbed the two guards with scissors before being subdued and restrained,” the affidavit said. One person is suspected of stabbing him in the head and the other in his back and shoulder. The injuries were not life-threatening.
The attack occurred just before 2 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Monday, according to the document. At the time, the ship was west of Vancouver Island, approximately 26.5 miles from land.
Sogoni was held in the ship’s detention center until the Encore arrived in Juneau, Alaska, on Tuesday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska announced in a news release that he was charged with assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
An attorney for Mr. Sogoni is not listed.
A Norwegian spokesperson told USA TODAY that “a newly hired crew member was observed exhibiting unusual and irrational behavior.”
“The ship’s security team escorted the crew member to a medical center for examination and evaluation, where he became violent without provocation and attacked two other crew members and a passenger,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. He attacked one person.” “Security teams quickly detained him and medical staff on board treated those involved for non-life-threatening injuries.”
Once the ship arrived in Juneau, relevant law enforcement authorities were “immediately” contacted and the employee was taken into custody. “We condemn this type of violence and are committed to the safety and security of all crew and guests on board,” the spokesperson added. “I commend the brave actions of the security team on board.”
Senior executives from the ship were monitoring the situation and company executives traveled to Juneau to meet with and assist passengers. “We continue to assist the relevant authorities in their ongoing investigation,” the spokesperson said.
The news comes after a Carnival Cruise Line passenger pleaded guilty in February to assaulting a fellow passenger and breaking a glass in his face.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
