Lufthansa Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Boston After Passenger Allegedly Stabs Two Minors With Metal Fork

A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany made an emergency landing in Boston after a man allegedly stabbed two teens with a fork.

Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, an Indian national, was charged with “one count 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, District of Massachusetts stated in a press release.

“According to the charging documents, on Oct. 25, 2025, while on board Lufthansa flight 431 en route from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old male passenger (Minor A) in the shoulder area with a metal fork. Usiripalli then allegedly stabbed a second 17-year-old male passenger (Minor B) in the back of the head with the same metal fork,” the press release continued.

#BREAKING : A Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany made an emergency landing in Boston after a passenger allegedly attacked fellow travelers midair.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts, 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, a master’s student from… pic.twitter.com/azANAGNFDy

— upuknews (@upuknews1) October 28, 2025

USA TODAY shared:

The flight landed safely at Boston Logan International Airport at around 10:46 p.m., where Usiripalli was promptly removed from the aircraft and arrested. While the date for his appearance in Boston’s federal court is not yet determined, he faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Since the flight couldn’t continue its journey, the German airline worked to provide hotel accommodations for the other passengers and rebook them on new flights.

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

#FBI Boston has charged Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, an Indian national, with allegedly stabbing two minor victims with a metal fork while on board a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany. Learn more: https://t.co/PRVulpkuaQ pic.twitter.com/VDkyAqM0x1

— FBI Boston (@FBIBoston) October 28, 2025

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts provided further details:

Specifically, following meal service, Minor A was sleeping lightly in a middle seat when he allegedly awoke to see Usiripalli standing over him. It is alleged that Usiripalli used his right hand to strike Minor A in the left clavicle area with a metal fork. Usiripalli then allegedly lunged toward Minor B – who was seated to Minor A’s right in a middle seat in the center row of the aircraft – and struck Minor B in the back of his head with the fork. Minor B suffered a laceration to the rear 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. Immediately afterwards, Usiripalli allegedly turned toward a female passenger to his left and slapped her with his hand. Usiripalli also allegedly attempted to slap a flight crew member.

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

Usiripalli was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa. Most recently, he was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies. Usiripalli presently does not have lawful status in the United States.

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