Indian Man Accused of Stabbing Teenagers With Fork on International Flight
A 28-year-old Indian man, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, faces multiple charges after a violent incident on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. The flight, which occurred on Saturday, was diverted to Boston due to his aggressive behavior.
Incident Details
During the flight, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed two teenagers with a fork. The first victim, a 17-year-old boy, awoke to find Usiripalli poised over him. Authorities stated that he stabbed the teen in the clavicle, while another 17-year-old boy sustained a laceration to the head from a similar attack.
Passenger Interaction
The first teenage victim was fortunate to avoid injury, as he was wearing a thick sweatshirt. He reported having only exchanged pleasantries with Usiripalli during the boarding process and had no further interaction with him prior to the assault. Alongside the stabbings, Usiripalli slapped a female passenger and a crew member during the flight.
Legal Consequences
- Charges Filed: Usiripalli has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.
- Diverted Flight: The flight was redirected to Boston as a result of the disturbance.
- Immigration Status: Authorities revealed that Usiripalli entered the U.S. on a student visa but currently lacks lawful immigration status.
Academic Background
Usiripalli was enrolled in a master’s degree program at Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago. His studies began in fall 2022 and are set to continue until spring 2025.
Current Status
As of Tuesday, Usiripalli did not have an attorney registered in the federal court system. His next steps in the legal process remain uncertain as investigations continue.
