Charlotte-bound passenger gets probation after attack that led EMT to quit

CHARLOTTE — Earlier this week, the suspect was sentenced to one year in prison on federal charges for assaulting a flight attendant and passengers.

Nicole Pizzi faced a judge on Friday on local charges tied to assault on two EMTs and a nurse.

Anna Baldwin says the attack changed her life.

Anna Baldwin says the attack changed her life.

While she didn’t get the outcome she wanted in court, she says the judge’s words directed to the suspect were enough to feel like some justice had been served.

“I’m here to fight for my brothers and my sisters,” Baldwin said.

Surrounded by coworkers with MEDIC, Anna Baldwin says assaults on first responders need to be taken seriously.

She says the suspect in her case got away with a plea deal, which only included probation.

“She deserves to serve her time,” Baldwin said.

In June 2024, Baldwin was working as an EMT and responded to a call at Charlotte Douglas Airport for an intoxicated woman.

“I wasn’t made aware that she had punched some flight attendants and spit on some crews on the plane,” Baldwin said.

Pizzi then targeted Baldwin in the back of the ambulance.

“She grabbed my hair and flipped me over the stretcher, and put me in a chokehold and was just punching me and biting me, and I just, I couldn’t get free,” Baldwin told Channel 9’s Gina Esposito. “I just kept saying, ‘Please don’t hurt me. I have a baby at home.’”

Pizzi ripped out a clump of Baldwin’s hair.

Baldwin says her partner heard her cries for help and stopped the ambulance in west Charlotte.

“She grabbed my partner by the hair and threw her out of the ambulance,” Baldwin said. “Her foot was actually broken from when she got thrown out of the truck.”

Baldwin says she pressed the emergency button, and neighbors stepped in.

Still, it took 18 minutes for someone with MEDIC to show up and restrain Pizzi.

By that time, Baldwin and her partner had been beaten again. Pizzi assaulted another crew on the way to the hospital.

Baldwin shared her story with a judge on Friday, who approved a plea deal for Pizzi.

The judge told Pizzi she was the reason that one of the best EMTs in the area no longer works with MEDIC.

Baldwin won multiple awards and planned to retire with MEDIC but quit because of what happened.

“I think words are more impactful sometimes, and just the things he just said to her really hit home,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin said she’s glad her voice was heard.

She still plans to help people, just in a safer environment.

“I do think that this is going to help me move forward, so now I can be the best nurse,” Baldwin said.

Pizzi will first serve her federal sentence before probation in this case.

Pizzi is from Pittsburgh and will serve her probation there.

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