An Indian national, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, has been charged in the United States for allegedly stabbing two teenagers with a metal fork and slapping a fellow passenger aboard a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Court documents state that Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old passenger in the shoulder with a fork and then attacked another 17-year-old, stabbing him in the back of the head with the same fork.
The first victim was asleep in a middle seat when he awoke to find the 28-year-old suspect standing over him.
Usiripalli then struck him in the clavicle area with the fork before lunging at the second teen. The second victim sustained a deep cut on the back of his head.
In a bizarre turn, after the crew intervened, Usiripalli pretended to shoot himself with an imaginary gun, then turned to a woman and slapped her. He also attempted to strike a crew member.
The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was arrested. Authorities confirmed that he no longer has legal status in the US and had originally entered on a student visa.
He has been charged in US District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while aboard an aircraft in US special jurisdiction. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Usiripalli was reportedly enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, according to the press release.
