Crime

Flight diverted to Boston after passenger allegedly stabs 2 teens with fork

Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, of India, is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Lufthansa aircrafts are parked at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, March 7, 2024. AP

By Madison Lucchesi

1 minute to read

A Lufthansa flight traveling from Chicago to Germany on Saturday was diverted to land in Boston after a man allegedly stabbed two teens with a metal fork.

Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, of India, allegedly stabbed one 17-year-old male passenger in the shoulder before stabbing a second 17-year-old male passenger in the back of the head with the same fork, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Per authorities:

Specifically, following meal service, Minor A was sleeping lightly in a middle seat when he allegedly awoke to see Usiripalli standing over him. It is alleged that Usiripalli used his right hand to strike Minor A in the left clavicle area with a metal fork. Usiripalli then allegedly lunged toward Minor B – who was seated to Minor A’s right in a middle seat in the center row of the aircraft – and struck Minor B in the back of his head with the fork. Minor B suffered a laceration to the rear of his head.

When flight crew members attempted to subdue Usiripalli, he allegedly raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary trigger. Immediately afterwards, Usiripalli allegedly turned toward a female passenger to his left and slapped her with his hand. Usiripalli also allegedly attempted to slap a flight crew member.

Usiripalli was arrested once the flight landed at Logan Airport, officials said.

He is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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“Usiripalli was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa,” authorities said. “Most recently, he was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies. Usiripalli presently does not have lawful status in the United States.”

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