Wed Oct 29 01:33:35 UTC 2025: News Article:
Indian National Charged with Stabbing Teens on Lufthansa Flight, Diverting Plane to Boston
BOSTON – An Indian national, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, has been charged with assault after allegedly stabbing two teenagers with a metal fork and slapping a passenger on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany. The incident forced the plane to divert to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was taken into custody.
According to court documents, Usiripalli allegedly attacked a 17-year-old passenger while he was sleeping, stabbing him in the shoulder with a metal fork. He then allegedly stabbed another 17-year-old in the back of the head with the same utensil, causing a laceration.
After crew members intervened, Usiripalli reportedly made a gesture mimicking shooting himself in the head. He then allegedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to slap a crew member.
The flight was diverted to Boston, where Usiripalli was arrested. Authorities revealed that Usiripalli is in the U.S. on a student visa and does not currently have a lawful status. He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies.
Usiripalli has been charged in U.S. District Court with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft within U.S. jurisdiction. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI Boston field office is handling the investigation.
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