Tue Oct 28 12:19:22 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indian National Arrested After Alleged Attack on Lufthansa Flight

NEW YORK – October 28, 2025, 5:49 PM IST – A 28-year-old Indian national, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, has been arrested and charged with assault after allegedly attacking passengers on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, October 25, 2025, forced the flight to divert to Boston Logan International Airport.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed two 17-year-old male passengers with a metal fork following the meal service. One teen was stabbed in the shoulder, while the other sustained a laceration to the back of the head.

Charging documents allege that when passengers attempted to subdue Usiripalli, he made a gun gesture with his hand, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger. He then reportedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to slap a flight crew member.

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. He was arrested on October 25th and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Authorities have stated that Usiripalli does not currently have legal status in the U.S. He previously held a student visa and was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies.

The investigation is ongoing.

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