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Police: Woman strikes Delta airlines employee at Indy airport because, 'God told me to'

Posted at 1:38 PM, Apr 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-13 17:25:15-04

INDIANAPOLIS – A woman was charged with battery after she was accused of striking a Delta airlines employee at the Indianapolis airport Tuesday night.

According to information in a probable cause affidavit, officers with the Indianapolis Airport Police Department said 36-year-old Shamanika Howard struck the Delta employee because, “God told me to.”

The incident happened when Howard approached the airline’s counter asking to purchase a ticket.

When the employee stated the counters were closed numerous times, “Howard lifted her hand and hit her on the side of her head, behind her ear. Howard then jumped to the other side of the ticket counter, called the police, and removed herself from the area,” according to the probable cause.

The employee reported having a headache and ear pain following the strike. 

Howard was arrested by IAPD Detective Sgt. D. Hernandez where she was later taken to the Adult Processing Center.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story erroneously cited Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry as the source of some information. We regret the error.