The 28-year-old Indian national, identified as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, allegedly attacked two teenage passengers mid-air on a Chicago-to-Germany Lufthansa flight, forcing an emergency diversion to Boston
A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt was forced to make an emergency landing in Boston after an Indian national allegedly stabbed two teenage passengers with a metal fork during the journey, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to the US Department of Justice, 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli was arrested on October 25, 2025, and charged in the US District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft — a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Federal prosecutors said the violent incident occurred aboard Lufthansa Flight 431, when Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old boy in the shoulder and another 17-year-old in the back of the head using a metal fork from the in-flight meal service. Both victims were seated next to each other in the middle row.
The suspect allegedly attacked two 17-year-olds mid-air before being restrained by crew members, forcing the flight to divert to Boston Logan International Airport
Investigators said one teen was attacked while asleep, and when the second victim reacted, Usiripalli lunged at him, causing a laceration on the rear of his head.
When crew members intervened, the suspect reportedly made a gun gesture with his hand, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger. He then slapped a nearby female passenger and attempted to hit a flight attendant before being subdued by the crew and restrained.
The aircraft was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where federal officers boarded the plane and took Usiripalli into custody.
Authorities said the accused previously entered the US on a student visa and had been enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently holds no valid immigration status.
The case is being led by Assistant US Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit, with investigative support from the FBI Boston Division, Massachusetts State Police, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, and US Customs and Border Protection.
