A 28-year-old Indian national, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, faces federal charges after stabbing two teenagers with a fork and attempting to slap a crew member during a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt on Saturday, causing an emergency diversion to Boston Logan International Airport amid ongoing aviation disruptions due to the government shutdown.According to CNN, Usiripalli has been charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.The incident involved Usiripalli attacking two 17-year-old boys with a metal fork, stabbing one in the shoulder area and the other in the back of the head during the flight.The first victim was asleep in his middle seat after meal service when he woke to find Usiripalli standing over him. Usiripalli then struck the boy in the left collarbone with his right hand.He then lunged at the second victim, who was seated next to the first victim, and stabbed him.When flight crew members attempted to control the situation, “he formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth and pulled an imaginary trigger,” according to officials.The disruption escalated when Usiripalli slapped a female passenger and attempted to slap a flight crew member.Usiripalli, who was previously in the United States on a student visa pursuing a master’s program in biblical studies, currently does not have lawful status in the country.If convicted, Usiripalli could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
