An unsettling incident unfolded aboard a Lufthansa flight en route from Chicago to Germany, resulting in its diversion to Boston, Massachusetts. An Indian national, identified as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, now faces charges for allegedly assaulting two teenagers with a metal fork during the flight.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has charged Usiripalli with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to inflict bodily harm while on an aircraft. This serious accusation stems from a disturbing event that disrupted the flight at cruising altitude on October 25.
Usiripalli, who initially entered the United States on a student visa, no longer maintains lawful immigration status in the country. He is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Before this incident, he was reportedly pursuing a master’s program in biblical studies.
The turmoil began when Usiripalli allegedly attacked two teenage passengers. Prosecutors claim he first targeted a 17-year-old boy, stabbing him in the shoulder with a metal fork. Shortly thereafter, he allegedly used the same utensil to strike another 17-year-old on the back of the head.
Details from a complaint obtained by Fox News Digital reveal that the first teen, seated in 43D, was lightly sleeping when he awoke to find Usiripalli looming over him. Without warning, Usiripalli allegedly jabbed the fork into the teen’s left clavicle, escalating the on-board chaos.
As the investigation unfolds, this incident raises significant concerns about passenger safety and the challenges faced by airline crews when handling unexpected threats at 30,000 feet.
According to officials, Usiripalli then turned toward a second 17-year-old seated in 43E and allegedly lunged, stabbing him in the back of the head with the same fork. The teen suffered a laceration to the rear of his head.
An image obtained by Fox News Digital from the criminal complaint shows blood in the 17-year-old’s scalp and hair.
An image obtained by Fox News Digital from the criminal complaint shows blood in the 17-year-old’s scalp and hair. (Department of Justice – District of Massachusetts)
Flight attendants rushed to intervene as the in-flight altercation played out. As they tried to restrain him, Usiripalli allegedly raised his hand, formed the shape of a gun with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and mimed pulling the trigger.
Moments later, authorities said he allegedly turned toward a woman seated beside him and slapped her, before also attempting to strike a crew member.
Witnesses said he was yelling incoherently and made bizarre statements, including: “Koran,” “Barack and Michelle Obama,” “the King,” “I am a sinner in the eyes of Siddhartha,” “happy times to everybody,” and “I am the reason for COVID,” according to the complaint.
As a result of the disturbance, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was immediately taken into custody.
Authorities recovered the fork used in the assault in a trash bin in the galley, the complaint said.
Usiripalli will appear in a Boston federal court “at a later date,” officials said. He could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office had no comment.
