An Indian national identified as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli has been charged in the United States after allegedly stabbing two 17-year-old passengers with a metal fork during a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt. The mid-air attack, which took place over the Atlantic Ocean, caused panic among passengers and forced the aircraft to divert to Boston Logan International Airport, where the suspect was arrested by federal authorities.
Court documents and statements released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts have shed light on the disturbing sequence of events that unfolded thousands of feet above the ground, painting a picture of sudden and inexplicable violence on board an international flight.
The Mid-Air Assault and Passenger Panic
The incident occurred aboard a Lufthansa flight operating between Chicago and Frankfurt, a route that typically serves hundreds of passengers daily between the United States and Germany. According to court filings, 28-year-old Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli was seated near two teenage passengers, both aged 17, when he allegedly carried out the attacks. The first victim, seated in a middle seat, was asleep when the assault began. He woke to find Usiripalli standing over him before being stabbed in the shoulder and clavicle area with a metal fork, apparently one provided as part of the in-flight meal service.
As the victim tried to comprehend what was happening, the assailant reportedly turned toward another teenager and lunged, stabbing him in the back of the head with the same fork. Witnesses told investigators that the second attack appeared sudden and unprovoked, leaving nearby passengers in shock. Both victims sustained visible injuries, though none were deemed life-threatening. Flight attendants immediately intervened to separate the suspect from other passengers while the pilots prepared to divert the aircraft for an emergency landing.
According to an affidavit filed by the FBI’s Boston Division, Usiripalli then began behaving erratically, making strange gestures and statements that further alarmed passengers. At one point, he reportedly raised his hand to form the shape of a gun, placed it in his mouth, and mimicked pulling the trigger. When a female passenger tried to calm him down, he allegedly slapped her, then attempted to strike a member of the flight crew who was assisting with restraining him. The cabin crew and several passengers subdued Usiripalli using improvised restraints until the plane could make a safe landing in Boston, where law enforcement officers were waiting.
Illegal invader who came into the US on a student visa, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, an Indian national reportedly stabbed two passengers on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Germany.
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) October 29, 2025
When the flight crew intervened, he reportedly made a gun gesture to his mouth, pulled an… pic.twitter.com/TJwv4aLNms
The Lufthansa flight touched down at Boston Logan International Airport under emergency circumstances, where agents from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took the suspect into custody without further incident. Medical teams provided treatment to the injured teenagers, while investigators began interviewing passengers and crew to piece together the moments leading up to the attack.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings in the United States
Following his arrest, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli was charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while travelling on an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. The charge, a serious federal offense, carries a maximum penalty of up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release following any sentence, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The criminal complaint, filed by the FBI Boston Division, was accompanied by statements from U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, who confirmed that the case was being handled as an aviation security incident under federal jurisdiction. The charge reflects the broader mandate of U.S. law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes committed aboard aircraft that fall under the United States’ jurisdiction, including those that either depart from or land in U.S. territory.
Preliminary court documents reveal that Usiripalli, an Indian national, had entered the United States on a student visa and was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies at a U.S. university. However, according to federal prosecutors, he no longer possessed “lawful status” in the country at the time of the incident. This detail may add complexity to the case, as immigration authorities could pursue separate proceedings once the criminal case concludes.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the assault, as no prior disputes between the suspect and the victims have been reported. Witness statements describe the attack as entirely unprovoked, with no verbal exchange preceding the violence. Authorities have not yet indicated whether mental health issues or other factors may have contributed to Usiripalli’s behavior during the flight.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a public statement via social media on October 28, 2025, confirming the charges and the ongoing investigation. The post stated, “#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.” The Bureau also encouraged witnesses or other passengers with additional information to contact its offices as part of the ongoing inquiry.
At his initial court appearance in Boston, Usiripalli was represented by a court-appointed attorney. The judge ordered him to remain in custody pending further hearings, citing the serious nature of the charges and the potential flight risk associated with his lack of legal immigration status. His next court date is expected to involve a detention hearing, after which the case will likely proceed toward indictment or plea discussions depending on the findings of the investigation.
Aviation Safety, Passenger Reactions, and Wider Implications
The incident aboard the Lufthansa flight has reignited discussion about the safety of airline passengers and the challenges faced by flight crews in handling violent or erratic behavior at high altitude. Although such assaults are statistically rare, they pose serious risks given the confined space and limited options for intervention during flight. Aviation security experts have noted that even small utensils, such as metal forks, can become dangerous weapons under certain circumstances, emphasizing the importance of crew preparedness and passenger awareness.
Lufthansa has not released the names of the affected passengers but confirmed that crew members responded swiftly in accordance with established safety protocols. In a statement to media outlets, the airline expressed relief that the injuries were not life-threatening and commended the professionalism of its staff in ensuring the safety of all on board. “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew are our highest priorities,” the statement read. “Our team acted immediately and decisively to manage the situation until the aircraft could be safely diverted.”
Experts have pointed out that incidents involving passenger assaults, though infrequent, often involve unpredictable behavioral triggers such as psychological distress, substance use, or medical emergencies. However, in this case, early reports do not suggest the involvement of alcohol or drugs. The unusual nature of the attack, including the self-directed gesture mimicking suicide, has led investigators to consider whether Usiripalli may have been experiencing a mental health crisis during the flight.
The broader implications of this case also extend into international law and aviation jurisdiction. Crimes committed aboard flights that operate between two countries often fall into complex legal categories, with both national and international treaties determining who has authority to prosecute. Under U.S. law, assaults that occur on aircraft within U.S. jurisdiction—either over U.S. airspace or aboard flights departing from or arriving at U.S. airports—can be prosecuted by American federal courts regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator or victims.
Meanwhile, the case has drawn attention in both the United States and India, with media outlets in both countries following developments closely. Indian diplomatic officials have reportedly been informed of Usiripalli’s arrest, though no official statement has yet been issued by the Indian embassy. The situation underscores the importance of coordination between international aviation authorities and consular services when crimes involve foreign nationals.
The victims, both 17 years old, were treated for minor injuries after the flight landed and were later released from medical care. The psychological impact on those aboard the aircraft, however, may linger far longer. Several passengers interviewed by investigators described moments of chaos and fear as they witnessed the attack and the subsequent attempts to restrain the suspect. Lufthansa has offered support to affected passengers and crew members, including counseling services if needed.
The case of Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise in even the most routine travel settings. As legal proceedings continue in the United States, authorities will seek to establish not only the facts of the assault but also the motivations behind it.
Whether the incident ultimately points to a momentary lapse, a deeper psychological disturbance, or some other factor remains to be seen. What is clear is that the swift response by crew members and the coordinated efforts of U.S. law enforcement prevented a disturbing mid-air episode from escalating into a far more serious tragedy.