VOIWORLD
A 28-year-old Indian national has been charged in the United States after allegedly attacking fellow passengers on board a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany, prompting an emergency diversion to Boston.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the accused, identified as Praneeth Usiripalli, reportedly assaulted two teenage passengers and a co-passenger during the flight on Saturday.
Court documents allege that Usiripalli stabbed a 17-year-old male passenger in the shoulder with a metal fork, before turning the utensil on another 17-year-old, stabbing him in the back of the head. The second victim sustained a laceration to his scalp.
The incident unfolded shortly after meal service, and when crew members and passengers attempted to restrain Usiripalli, he allegedly gestured as if shooting himself, forming a gun shape with his fingers and pretending to pull the trigger. He then reportedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to strike a flight attendant.
The flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was taken into custody by law enforcement officers.
He has been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause bodily harm while aboard an aircraft within U.S. jurisdiction.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to USD 250,000.
According to federal authorities, Usiripalli currently does not have lawful immigration status in the U.S. He was previously in the country on a student visa, pursuing a master’s degree in biblical studies.
He was arrested on October 25 and is expected to appear before a federal court in Boston at a later date.
