A harrowing incident unfolded on a Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Frankfurt when a 28-year-old man from the Telugu-speaking region of India allegedly attacked two teenage passengers with a metal fork. The shocking mid-air assault forced the aircraft to make an emergency diversion to Boston.
The accused, identified as Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, was taken into custody on October 25, 2025. He now faces serious charges in the U.S. District Court for assault with a dangerous weapon, with intent to cause bodily harm while aboard an aircraft. Usiripalli is expected to face a federal court hearing in Boston at a later date.
Records indicate that Usiripalli has been enrolled as a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago since 2022, where he was pursuing a master’s degree in biblical studies on a student visa. It has also come to light that he currently lacks lawful immigration status in the United States. Further investigation into his online presence revealed a YouTube channel under the name ‘Palson Pranith,’ which notably had only two subscribers and no uploaded videos.
The alarming events transpired on Lufthansa Flight 431 shortly after the meal service concluded. Usiripalli reportedly initiated the attack by stabbing a 17-year-old boy, who was seated next to him, in the shoulder with a metal fork. He then allegedly turned his aggression towards another 17-year-old passenger nearby, striking him in the back of the head and causing a laceration.
As dedicated flight attendants and brave passengers bravely intervened to restrain him, Usiripalli allegedly made disturbing gestures, miming shooting himself by forming a gun with his fingers and pretending to pull the trigger. His erratic behavior continued as he reportedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to assault a member of the cabin crew.
Due to the severe disturbance and potential threat, the flight crew made the critical decision to divert the aircraft to Boston Logan International Airport. Upon landing, Usiripalli was promptly apprehended by law enforcement officers, bringing an end to the terrifying ordeal.
Should he be found guilty, Usiripalli could face a significant sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and a substantial fine of up to $250,000.