Indian national accused of mid-air fork attack on teens in US, flight diverted
The suspect currently lacks lawful immigration status in the US. He had previously been in the country on a student visa while enrolled in a master’s programme in biblical studies.
New Delhi,October 28, 2025 10:23 PM IST
First published on: Oct 28, 2025 at 06:16 PM IST
Share
Comments
Print
Share
Whatsapp
twitter
Facebook
When passengers and crew attempted to restrain him, he allegedly made a gun gesture with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger. (File)
A 28-year-old Indian man has been charged in the United States after allegedly stabbing two teenage passengers with a metal fork and assaulting others on board a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Boston.
According to a report by PTI, citing the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the suspect, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, was arrested on October 25 and charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while aboard an aircraft under US jurisdiction.
Story continues below this ad
Court documents allege that Usiripalli attacked two 17-year-old male passengers during meal service — stabbing one in the shoulder and the other in the back of the head with a metal fork, causing a laceration. When passengers and crew attempted to restrain him, he allegedly made a gun gesture with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger.
Usiripalli then allegedly slapped a female passenger and tried to strike a flight attendant before being subdued.
The Lufthansa flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was taken into custody. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Authorities as per PTI, said Usiripalli currently lacks lawful immigration status in the US. He had previously been in the country on a student visa while enrolled in a master’s programme in biblical studies.
Share
When passengers and crew attempted to restrain him, he allegedly made a gun gesture with his fingers, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger. (File) 
