2 Teen Passengers Stabbed with Metal Fork on Flight to Chicago in Alleged Attack on Multiple People After Meal Service

NEED TO KNOW

• Two youngsters have been allegedly stabbed during Lufthansa flight 431 from Chicago to Germany on Saturday, Oct. 25

• Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli was arrested in connection with the incidents after the flight diverted to Boston Logan International Airport

• Usiripalli, 28, allegedly also slapped a feminine passenger and tried to slap a flight crew member during the disturbance

Two youngsters have been allegedly attacked with a metallic fork by a fellow passenger on their flight from Chicago to Germany.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, a 17-year-old boy on Lufthansa flight 431 allegedly awoke to see 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli standing over him, according to a press release from the U S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts. The boy had been “sleeping lightly” in the center seat when he was struck with a fork in the left clavicle.

Another 17-year-old boy, who was sitting in direction of the fitting of the injured teen in the middle row of the plane, suffered a laceration to the back of his head after Usiripalli, 28, allegedly lunged at him with the same fork.

The assaults occurred following a meal service on the flight, per the attorney’s workplace.

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Usiripalli allegedly shaped a gun with his fingers when approached by flight crew members, according to prosecutors. He then put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary set off.

The 28-year-old allegedly went on to slap a feminine passenger to his left and tried to slap a crew member. Due to the disturbance, the flight diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was arrested and taken into custody.

He was charged with one rely of assault with a harmful weapon with intent to do bodily hurt while touring on an plane in the particular plane jurisdiction of the United States. The charge carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a effective of up to $250,000.

According to the attorney’s workplace, the Indian national entered the U.S. on a pupil visa while enrolled in a grasp’s program in biblical research. However, Usiripalli doesn’t presently have lawful standing in the nation.

PEOPLE has reached out to Lufthansa for remark.

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