Additional Coverage:
- Flight diverted after passenger allegedly stabs two teens with metal fork: Officials (abcnews.go.com)
Lufthansa Flight Diverted to Boston After Passenger Allegedly Stabs Teens with Fork, Mimics Suicide
Boston, MA – A Lufthansa flight en route from Chicago to Germany was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Boston on Saturday after a passenger allegedly assaulted two other travelers with a metal fork, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Authorities identified the alleged assailant as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, an Indian national and student. He is accused of stabbing two 17-year-old passengers – one in the shoulder and the other in the head – following meal service on the transatlantic flight.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, one of the minors, identified as “Minor A,” was reportedly sleeping when he awoke to Usiripalli standing over him.
Usiripalli allegedly struck Minor A in the left clavicle area with a metal fork. He then reportedly lunged at “Minor B,” who was seated next to Minor A, striking him in the back of the head with the fork and causing a laceration.
When flight crew members attempted to intervene, Usiripalli’s behavior reportedly escalated. He is alleged to have raised his hand, formed a gun shape with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and pulled an imaginary trigger. Immediately after, he allegedly slapped a female passenger seated nearby and attempted to strike a flight crew member.
As a direct result of the disturbance, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport. Upon arrival, Usiripalli was immediately taken into custody by local authorities.
Usiripalli has been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Lufthansa issued a statement confirming the flight diversion was due to “the behavior of an unruly passenger.” The airline stated that all affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodations and rebooked on subsequent flights to their destination.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Usiripalli was in the U.S. on a student visa, pursuing a master’s program in biblical studies.
If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Usiripalli is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on a date yet to be determined.