The drummer for Texas-based rock bank Lord Buffalo who was ‘forcibly removed’ from his flight just before the group was about to take off on a European tour, can be seen in newly released bodycam footage explaining himself to cops.
Saad Saidbaca, a longtime member of the rising band, was escorted from the plane in handcuffs by airport police on Monday, leaving stunned passengers and his bandmates in disbelief.
Although Saidbaca is a Mexican citizen he has a green card after he and his family ‘moved to Austin in the late ’80s, after a devastating earthquake hit Mexico City.’
He was detained by airport cops after police responded to an active arrest warrant.
According to law enforcement, Saidbaca had violated a protective order, also known as a restraining order, twice in the past year, triggering a felony-level arrest warrant that led to his removal from the aircraft.
He is being held in a Tarrant County, Texas, jail on $40,000 bond. A conviction could result in at least two years of jail time.
Dressed for travel, the footage shows Saidbaca reacting calmly as police tell him he is being placed under arrest and being taken to jail.
Saidbaca explained that he believed a custody case involving his daughter had ended in December and denied any wrongdoing, saying he merely sent packages and letters, which the child’s mother may have reported as violations.
Confused about why the warrant, issued in October, was not addressed when he appeared in court in December, Saidbaca expressed frustration but complied with officers as they prepared to transfer him to jail, stating, ‘I just want to get home and talk to my lawyer.’
Saad Saidbaca was ‘forcibly removed’ from his flight at Dallas Fort Worth Airport just as the group was about to take off on a European tour.
Saad Saidbaca can be seen being led away in handcuffs from his aircraft at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Monday
He is being held in a Tarrant County, Texas , jail on $40,000 bond. A conviction could result in at least two years of jail time
The drummer initially seemed surprised at the action being taken but complies when officers ask him to turn around so he can be placed in cuffs.
He is then slowly marched out along the airport concourse and into a waiting patrol car to take him away.
Lord Buffalo, known for its brooding, cinematic sound, had been gearing up for a major European run – set to begin on Thursday in the Netherlands and wrap in Iceland next week.
But those plans were quickly shelved with the band citing heartbreak and confusion over the unexpected arrest.
The group appeared to be completely blindsided by what had occurred to their fellow bandmate.
‘We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support. We still know very little about the situation, but we have been asked by our drummer’s family and his legal team to respect their privacy while this situation evolves,’ the band wrote in on Instagram.
‘We intend to do so, and we send all our love their way. We’ll share updates from the family when we can. Thanks again for everyone’s support,’ the statement read.
The band’s tour was set to begin on Thursday in the Netherlands before finishing in Iceland next Friday. The group has since decided to abandon the tour noting how they were ‘heartbroken’ at having to cancel it.
Saidbaca remained calm as airpot police spoke to him on Monday and placed him under arrest
He was marched through the airport concourse and out to a waiting patrol car
Police officers also seemed puzzles as to why Saidbaca had not been arrested sooner.
‘That’s what our big question is – why didn’t they get you in December when you were sitting there in court?’ one officer asked.
‘Yeah, I mean, I’ve been doing everything I’m supposed to be doing,’ Saidbaca replied.
He revealed that he had been sending birthday and Christmas packages to his daughter, but that her mother had reported those to the police as violations of the order. He insisted the court never found fault with those actions.
‘The judge didn’t say I did anything wrong… It wasn’t an issue,’ he said. ‘I didn’t even know there was a warrant at all for that.’
Police told him they had confirmed the warrant with Llano County, and there was no choice – he would have to go to jail.
‘So this trip is definitely not happening,’ Saidbaca muttered, staring at the floor. ‘My band without a drummer.
The band posted that Said (pictured) was ‘forcibly removed from our flight to Europe’ by CBP at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Monday
The Department of Homeland Security said that Said is a lawful permanent resident and he was apprehended due to outstanding warrants and a criminal record
The band have yet to comment on those allegations and have been asked by Said’s family to lay low, according to a Facebook post
The Department of Homeland Security wasted no time weighing in on the high-profile arrest.
‘Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident,’ they wrote in a post to X.
‘Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE. If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested.’
Online jail records confirmed that Saidbaca allegedly committed a felony by breaking a restraining order.
Saidbaca’s family moved to the United States in the late 1980s after fleeing the devastation of the Mexico City earthquake.
The drummer had lived in Austin for decades, carving out a name in the indie rock scene and helping Lord Buffalo grow from an obscure Texas band to a cult favorite
Lord Buffalo drummer Saad Saidbaca is seen in some of his Instagram photos alongside his fellow bandmates
The drummer had lived in Austin for decades, carving out a name in the indie rock scene and helping Lord Buffalo grow from an obscure Texas band to a cult favorite on the international circuit.
There appeared to be little sympathy from fans on the bands Instagram account following Saidbaca’s arrest.
‘Get a drummer without warrants for their arrest so you can leave the country,’ wrote one user.
‘Keep your hands to yourself and you wouldn’t put yourself or your bandmates through this. The blame lies at your feet,’ wrote another.
‘Became a fan, sorry for your drummer. This is wild,’ added a third.
