Man charged with stabbing 2 teens with metal fork on flight from Chicago to Germany

A man was charged with stabbing two teens on a flight from Chicago to Germany, according to federal authorities.

Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli, 28, 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, according to the Massachusetts branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.

Usiripalli was on board Lufthansa flight 431 en route from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany on Saturday when he allegedly stabbed two 17-year-old boys with a metal fork, the attorney's office said. One of the boys was stabbed in the back of the head while the other was stabbed in the shoulder area.

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 before slapping a female passenger to his left, authorities said.

As a result of the incident, the flight was diverted to Boston Logan International Airport, where Usiripalli was immediately arrested, officials said.

Usiripalli, an Indian national, was previously admitted to the United States on a student visa and was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, authorities said, adding that he didn’t have lawful status in the United States.

If convicted, Usiripalli faces up to 10 years in prison or up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, officials said. He is set to appear in court in Boston at a later date.