A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt (#LH431), operated by a Boeing 747 registered D-ABYQ, made an emergency landing in Boston on Saturday after a passenger allegedly attacked and injured two teenagers with a metal fork.
According to official statements, 28-year-old Indian national Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli was arrested on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily harm.
Court documents state that during the flight from Chicago O’Hare to Frankfurt, Usiripalli attacked two 17-year-old male passengers seated nearby. One of the victims, referred to as “Minor A,” felt a sharp pain in his shoulder while sleeping and saw Usiripalli holding a metal fork. The suspect then reportedly struck the other teen, “Minor B,” in the back of the head, causing a laceration to his scalp.
When the crew and passengers intervened, Usiripalli allegedly made a gun gesture with his hand, pretended to shoot himself, slapped a female passenger, and attempted to hit a flight attendant. The flight crew restrained him, and the captain diverted the aircraft to Boston Logan International Airport, where FBI agents and Massachusetts State Police boarded the plane and took him into custody.
After refueling and security checks, the flight continued to Frankfurt.
Authorities said Usiripalli previously lived in the U.S. on a student visa and was enrolled in a graduate program but currently has no valid legal status in the country.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit.
Lufthansa released a statement saying:
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. Our cabin crew responded swiftly and professionally to the incident.”
