Indian man charged in US for stabbing teenagers with fork aboard Lufthansa flight

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An Indian national, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, has been charged in the United States for allegedly stabbing two teenagers with a metal fork and slapping a passenger during a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement.

According to court documents, the 28-year-old allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old passenger in the shoulder and then attacked another 17-year-old, striking the back of his head with the same fork.

The first victim, who was asleep in a middle seat, reportedly woke up to find Usiripalli standing over him before being stabbed near his left clavicle. Moments later, the accused lunged at the second teenager, who sustained a laceration on his head, authorities said.

When crew members tried to intervene, Usiripalli allegedly made a bizarre gesture—forming an imaginary pistol with his hand, placing it in his mouth, and pretending to pull the trigger. He then turned and slapped a female passenger before attempting to hit a crew member.

Following the mid-air assault, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where law enforcement officers detained Usiripalli. Investigators said he currently does not have lawful status in the United States, having originally entered on a student visa.

Usiripalli has been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily harm while onboard an aircraft under US federal jurisdiction.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, the US Attorney’s Office said.

The accused was reportedly enrolled in a master’s programme in biblical studies, according to the official release.