The man killed by a plane at Denver International Airport after making it onto a runway and being sucked into an engine had a lengthy criminal history across several Colorado counties, arrest records show.

Michael Mott, 41, was part of the “unhoused community,” according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. He was most recently arrested on April 10 and charged with first-degree criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

Records reviewed by The New York Post show Mott had multiple run-ins with law enforcement dating back to his teenage years, including arrests at 17 for minor offenses such as shoplifting and underage drinking.

In April 2010, the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on felony domestic violence, menacing and assault charges. Additional offenses over the years included second-degree burglary in 2016 and felony assault on a peace officer in 2020, though that case was later dismissed by the district attorney’s office.

This image provided by Jack Estenssoro, passengers evacuate a airplane after a person was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff, at Denver International Airport, Friday, May 8, 2026 in Denver. (Jack Estenssoro via AP)

By February 2025, Mott was arrested by the Cortez Police Department on suspicion of attempted murder involving a firearm. He later pleaded guilty to second-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to six years in prison. While incarcerated, he was again charged with felony assault involving a weapon.

Public records also show arrests for driving under the influence, hit-and-run, trespassing, fighting in public, violating protection orders and resisting arrest.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Sterling McLaren said Mott’s cause of death was multiple blunt and sharp force injuries and ruled it a suicide. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas added Tuesday that no suicide note has been recovered.

Airport CEO Phil Washington said Mott climbed over an approximately 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire at about 11:13 p.m. on May 8 and was struck roughly two minutes later while crossing Runway 17L.

The impact caused the plane’s engine to catch fire, forcing passengers to evacuate during an aborted takeoff. Twelve people suffered minor injuries, five of whom were taken to the hospital.

Passengers were bused back to the terminal “as quickly as possible,” Washington said, as officials worked to secure what he described as a 4,000-foot debris field being treated as a crime scene.

McLaren urged anyone struggling with mental health issues to seek help, noting that free and confidential support is available by calling or texting 988.