Crime
The international flight landed in Boston after the Indian student allegedly stabbed two boys with the fork, according to court documents.
An Indian graduate student is facing charges in federal court after he allegedly stabbed two 17-year-old boys with a metal fork while on an international flight, causing the plane to be diverted to Logan International Airport, court records show.
Praneeth Usiripalli, 28, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, according to an affidavit filed Oct. 27 in federal court. The alleged assault happened Oct. 25 aboard an international flight travelling from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany.
About two hours into the flight, Usiripalli allegedly stabbed two 17-year-old male passengers with a metal fork, one in the shoulder area and one in the back of the head, court records show. After the flight crew became aware of the disturbance, the pilot decided to divert the plane to Logan Airport.
The first boy, referred to in court documents as “Minor A,” was seated and sleeping lightly when he woke up to see Usiripalli standing over him. The victim “reflexively raised his left shoulder” before Usiripalli allegedly stabbed him near his left collarbone with a fork, according to court records.
The boy was protected by a heavy sweatshirt he was wearing, so he didn’t suffer any visible injuries, according to the affidavit. He told law enforcement that he and Usiripalli had “exchanged pleasantries” as they boarded but that that was their only interaction before the alleged assault.
Immediately after Usiripalli allegedly stabbed him, he lunged towards the second boy, who was seated to the first boy’s right, and allegedly struck him in the back of his head with the fork, court records show. The second boy, referred to in court documents as “Minor B,” suffered a laceration to his head and told law enforcement that Usiripalli was “yelling unintelligibly.”
During his arrest, Usiripalli allegedly “dropped to his knees, bent over, and tried to kiss [a flight attendant’s] shoes,” according to the affidavit. He also allegedly started to mumble phrases including “Koran,” “Barack and Michelle Obama,” “the King,” “I am a sinner in the eyes of Siddhartha,” “happy times to everybody,” and “I am the reason for COVID.”
The flight attendant, who also witnessed the aftermath of the alleged assault, told law enforcement that Usiripalli “raised his hand, formed a gun with his fingers, put it in his mouth, and pulled an imaginary trigger,” according to court records. He then allegedly slapped a female passenger and attempted to slap the flight attendant, according to officials.
When the flight arrived in Boston, Usiripalli was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, court records show. Due to the flight diversion, the boys had to stay in Boston overnight and were not able to depart until the next day.
Officials determined that Usiripalli was enrolled in a master’s program studying biblical studies and was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa, according to court documents. However, he “presently does not have lawful status.”
Usiripalli was indicted Nov. 20 by a grand jury and is currently being held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility, court records show. His arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Cara McNamara, a public defender representing Usiripalli, did not immediately return a request for comment Sunday morning.
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