South African Employee Accused of Violent Attack with Medical Scissors Aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore

In recent news, the FBI has apprehended a Norwegian cruise ship employee named Ntando Sogoni from South Africa, accused of wielding medical scissors and attacking three individuals while aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore vessel off the coast of Alaska. Reports indicate that Sogoni, employed by the company just days prior, embarked from Seattle’s port and commenced a seven-day voyage to Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Victoria, British Columbia. According to authorities, Sogoni attempted to leave the ship using a lifeboat before being intercepted by security personnel and brought to the onboard medical facility. Upon arriving at the clinic, he allegedly physically assaulted a security guard and a male nurse before entering a separate examination room where a female American citizen was receiving medical attention. Sogoni then reportedly used the scissors to inflict multiple wounds on the woman’s arm, hand, and face. Two intervening security guards were subsequently stabbed, one in the head and the other in the back and shoulders. The incident occurred while the ship traversed waters located west of Vancouver Island, en route to Alaska. Following his arrest by the FBI in Juneau, Alaska, Sogoni now faces charges of assault utilizing a hazardous weapon inside maritime or territorial jurisdiction. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and fines totaling $250,000. Norwegian Cruise Line has yet to offer comment regarding this matter.