The flight had been bound for Germany but had to be diverted as the man got out of control by stabbing two teenagers with the metal fork, but taking something else out
A man has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed two teenagers with a metal fork. He then appeared to pull out another weapon, but was thankfully apprehended as the flight had to be diverted.
The incident took place on a Lufthansa flight taking off from Chicago Airport and bound for an unnamed German city. Passengers were left in shock after the man appeared to assault the teenagers, which had seemingly been unprovoked.
The plane was eventually taken to Boston’s Logan International Airport and the suspect was detained by local police. However, further details are now starting to emerge, including the fact that the teenagers were not the only ones who were targeted.
NBC News reported that Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, a 28-year-old from India was officially charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to do bodily harm. The charges came in relation to the incident which took place on Saturday (October 25).
Initial reports revealed that the furore began when a 17-year-old passenger who was sat in the middle seat woke up to see Usiripalli standing over him. However, the suspect was seen in a menacing position, brandishing a metal fork that he had acquired after having a meal on the plane.
According to eyewitnesses, Usiripalli then lunged at the teenage passenger, managing to pierce his skin and hit his left shoulder blade. He then went on to stab another 17-year-old passenger in the back of the head during the attack.
The flight’s cabin crew were then called to deal with the situation, attempting to subdue the man and bring him under control. It was then when he made a finger gun out of his hands and put it in his mouth and pulled the “trigger”, according to prosecutors.
However, his tirade of physical abuse was not done yet as Usiripalli then appeared to slap a female passenger, before attempting to slap a member of the flight crew that was trying to apprehend him. The pilot was then forced to stop at Boston Logan International Airport, where he was promptly arrested by police.
Medical examinations of the second teenager found that he had suffered a laceration he back of his head, but was luckily only minorly injured. The US Attorney’s office in Massachusetts confirmed that Usiripalli was detained after being taken off the plane.
Currently, it is not known whether Usiripalli has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. However, further details about the suspect’s history in the United States has been unearthed.
According to documents released by federal officials, Usiripalli had previously been granted access to the United States after successfully applying for a student visa. It is believed that he had been enrolled on a masters’ course at an unnamed university for Biblical Studies.
As well as this, it was confirmed by the Attorney’s office that Usiripalli currently does not have lawful status to remain in the United States. This means that Usiripalli could be deported back to India, should that be decided by local prosecutors working on the case; Daily Star has reached out to Lufthansa for comment.
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