Unhinged foreign master’s student allegedly stabbed 2 teens with fork, slapped passenger on Chicago flight to Germany
Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, allegedly stabbed two teens with a metal fork aboard a flight from Chicago to Germany. ZUMAPRESS.com
A passenger on a flight from Chicago to Germany allegedly stabbed two teenagers with a fork, slapped a female passenger, and made suicide gestures during an unprovoked rampage that forced the pilots to make an emergency landing in Boston on Saturday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, a master’s student from India. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts, Usiripalli first stood over a 17-year-old passenger who was asleep after meal service and struck him in the left clavicle with a metal fork. He then used the same fork to stab another 17-year-old passenger in the back of the head on Lufthansa flight 431 en route to Frankfurt.
When flight attendants attempted to intervene, prosecutors said Usiripalli “formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth, and pulled the trigger.” He then turned and slapped a female passenger before attempting to strike another crew member. The second teen suffered a laceration to the back of his head in the attack.
The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was taken into custody.
Authorities said Usiripalli, an Indian national, “does not have lawful status in the United States.” He had previously entered the U.S. on a student visa and was most recently enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies.
Usiripalli faces federal charges in U.S. District Court for assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His next federal court appearance in Boston will be scheduled at a later date.
Lufthansa did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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