DALLAS, TX — A dramatic and unsettling incident unfolded at Dallas Love Field Airport early Friday morning, July 4, 2025, when a man identified as Benjamin Chitenje, 53, was arrested following a series of alarming actions that breached airport security and caused a temporary disruption to operations.

According to authorities, the incident began just after 6:00 a.m., when Chitenje allegedly rammed another vehicle in the airport’s public parking lot. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the suspect then sped away, bypassing controlled access points and ultimately driving onto the secured tarmac area—a highly restricted part of the airport meant solely for authorized personnel and aircraft movement.

Airport security and Dallas Police were immediately alerted, triggering a swift and coordinated response. As Chitenje maneuvered his vehicle onto the tarmac, airport operations were temporarily halted to ensure the safety of passengers, staff, and flight crews. Multiple officers pursued the suspect until they were able to bring the situation under control and take him into custody.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Emergency responders transported Chitenje to a local hospital for a medical evaluation, where he remained under observation. The motive behind his actions remains unclear, and investigators are working to determine whether medical, psychological, or other factors may have played a role.

Chitenje now faces a range of serious charges, including:

• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• Evading Arrest
• Unauthorized Entry into a Secured Area
• Criminal Mischief
• Reckless Endangerment

A spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department stated, “This was a highly unusual and serious breach of airport safety protocols. Thanks to the rapid response by officers and airport security teams, the situation was contained before it escalated further. We are grateful that no one was hurt.”

The incident has also sparked renewed conversations about airport perimeter security and response preparedness, particularly at major transportation hubs like Dallas Love Field, which serves millions of passengers each year. While such breaches are rare, they highlight the importance of maintaining robust surveillance, access control, and emergency response procedures.

Travelers were briefly delayed, but flight operations resumed within an hour of the initial lockdown. Officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have also been notified and are conducting their own reviews of the event in coordination with local law enforcement.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has relevant video footage to come forward to assist in piecing together the full sequence of events.

For now, Benjamin Chitenje remains in police custody, and his court appearance is expected in the coming days. The incident, though alarming, ended without loss of life or serious harm—thanks in large part to the quick thinking and collaboration of law enforcement and airport officials.