Man Arrested After Stabbing Teens with Fork on Lufthansa Flight

A man has been arrested following an alarming incident on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago Airport to an undisclosed German city. The event unfolded on October 25, 2023, when Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, a 28-year-old from India, allegedly stabbed two teenagers with a metal fork before appearing to brandish another weapon. The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport where Usiripalli was apprehended by local authorities.

Witnesses reported a shocking scene as the incident escalated. It began when a 17-year-old passenger, seated in the middle, awoke to find Usiripalli standing over him, holding a fork he had taken from his meal. Eyewitness accounts indicate that he lunged at the teenager, stabbing him in the left shoulder blade. Subsequently, another 17-year-old passenger was attacked, suffering a laceration to the back of his head.

The flight’s cabin crew quickly intervened, attempting to subdue Usiripalli. During this chaotic moment, he reportedly mimicked a gun with his fingers, placing them in his mouth and pulling an imaginary trigger, as described by prosecutors. He then allegedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to strike a flight crew member who was trying to control him.

The pilot made the decision to land at Boston Logan International Airport due to the escalating violence. Upon arrival, local police took Usiripalli into custody. Medical evaluations confirmed that the second teenager sustained only minor injuries.

Usiripalli has been officially charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to do bodily harm. The US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts confirmed his detention, but it remains unclear if he has retained legal representation.

Further investigation revealed that Usiripalli had entered the United States on a student visa, reportedly enrolled in a master’s program in Biblical Studies at an unnamed university. Current records indicate that he lacks lawful status to remain in the country, raising the possibility of deportation back to India, pending decisions from local prosecutors.

The incident has left passengers shaken, and the airline, Lufthansa, has been contacted for further comment. As this story continues to develop, authorities are expected to provide additional information regarding both Usiripalli’s background and the implications of his actions on the flight.