Passenger dies on Royal Caribbean cruise after altercation with crew

<p>Michael Virgil kicking the door (Picture credit: FOX 11)<br></p>

A passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship died after an altercation with crew members and fellow passengers. Michael Virgil, 35, was on the Navigator of the Seas, sailing from San Pedro, Los Angeles to Ensenada, Baja California, when the incident occurred less than an hour after departure.
Virgil allegedly assaulted two crew members, kicking one in the face and punching another, according to a Los Angeles news station, FOX 11. He also reportedly threatened other passengers.
A passenger, Christifer Mikhail, recounted the incident, stating, “The gentleman that was drunk said that he was going to kill us. He started chasing us down the hallway.” Mikhail captured video of Virgil attempting to kick open a closet door where a crew member had sought refuge.

Virgil attempted to force the door open multiple times, as shown in a video of the incident. He kicked the door with steel-toed boots while shouting profanities, before taking off his shirt in the ship’s hallway. He reportedly went on a racial rant, according to a FOX 11 report.
“I was kind of scared,” Mikhail said, recounting the incident. “I’m stuck in this hallway. He could have flicked me and thrown me like 30 feet because the guy he punched kinda flew a couple feet back,” he added.
Ship security personnel restrained Virgil using zip ties, handcuffs, and either bear or pepper spray, according to Mikhail and his video. Virgil’s family told FOX 11 that he was then injected with a sedative and died within an hour.
Virgil was traveling with his 7-year-old autistic son and his fiancé, according to a New York Post report.
The FBI is investigating the altercation and death. An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
Virgil’s family said his behavior was unusual. “He didn’t deserve to die over it,” a relative said, as quoted by New York Post. Royal Caribbean issued a statement to FOX 11: “We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation.”