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Indian national indicted in fork-stabbing incident that diverted plane to Logan
Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli is set to be arraigned in federal court on Dec. 3.
An Indian national has been indicted for allegedly stabbing two 17-year-olds with a fork, causing a plane to divert to Boston.
On Oct. 25, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old boy in the shoulder with a metal fork and then stabbed another 17-year-old boy in the back of the head with the same fork while on Lufthansa Flight 431 from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Per authorities:
Specifically, following meal service, Minor A was sleeping lightly in a middle seat when he allegedly awoke to see Usiripalli standing over him. It is alleged that Usiripalli used his right hand to strike Minor A in the left clavicle area with a metal fork. Usiripalli then allegedly lunged toward Minor B – who was seated to Minor A’s right in a middle seat in the center row of the aircraft – and struck Minor B in the back of his head with the fork. Minor B suffered a laceration to the rear of his head.
When flight crew members attempted to subdue Usiripalli, he allegedly raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary trigger. Immediately afterwards, Usiripalli allegedly turned toward a female passenger to his left and slapped her with his hand. Usiripalli also allegedly attempted to slap a flight crew member.
Due to the incident, the flight was diverted to Logan Airport where Usiripalli was arrested, officials said.
“Usiripalli was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa,” authorities said. “Most recently, he was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies. Usiripalli presently does not have lawful status in the United States.”
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Usiripalli was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Each charge provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison with three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Usiripalli remains in custody, authorities said. He is set to be arraigned in Boston federal court on Dec. 3, according to court documents.
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