Passenger Stabs 2 Teens With Fork On Flight From Chicago To Germany: Authorities

BOSTON, MA — A flight from Chicago to Germany was diverted to Boston after a passenger stabbed two teens with a fork, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The accused stabber — 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli — was arrested and slapped with a federal charge 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, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.

Usiripalli was aboard a Lufthansa flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Frankfurt on Saturday when he stabbed one 17-year-old in his shoulder and another 17-year-old in the back of his head with a metal fork "following meal service," according to the news release.

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The first teen was "sleeping lightly in a middle seat when he allegedly awoke to see Usiripalli standing over him," the news release said.

Usiripalli stabbed the teen "in the left clavicle area with a metal fork," according to the news release, then lunged toward the second teen, who was seated next to the first teen, and stabbed him in the back 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," the release said. "Immediately afterwards, Usiripalli allegedly turned toward a female passenger to his left and slapped her with his hand."

Usiripalli also attempted to slap a flight crew member, according to the news release.

"As a result of the disturbance, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was immediately taken into custody," the news release said.

Lufthansa "made every effort" to get passengers hotel accommodations in the Boston area and rebook them on the next available flights, according to an email from Christina Semmel, manager of North American corporate communications for the airline.

"We sincerely regret the inconvenience this situation has caused and appreciate our passengers’ patience and understanding," Semmel wrote. "The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew are always Lufthansa’s highest priority."

A citizen of India, "Usiripalli was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa," according to the news release.

"Most recently, he was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies," the news release said. "Usiripalli presently does not have lawful status in the United States."