Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Passenger Charged After Two Teens Stabbed With Fork on Lufthansa Flight Diverted to Boston

Prosecutors say Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli faces up to 10 years under the federal special aircraft jurisdiction.

Overview

  • Federal prosecutors charged the 28-year-old with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon after Lufthansa Flight 431 from Chicago to Frankfurt diverted to Boston on Oct. 25.
  • Charging documents say two 17-year-olds were attacked with a metal fork, one struck near the left clavicle and the other in the back of the head, causing a laceration.
  • Authorities allege he mimed shooting himself with a finger-gun gesture, slapped a female passenger, and attempted to slap a crew member before being restrained.
  • Officials describe Usiripalli as an Indian national previously in the U.S. on a student visa who currently lacks lawful status; he remains in federal custody.
  • A criminal complaint reported by some outlets says the fork was recovered from a galley trash bin, and he is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.