The incident occurred on Lufthansa Flight 431 on October 25, when a violent outburst led to the plane being diverted. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Usiripalli, who was previously enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, faces one count of assault with a dangerous weapon while traveling on an aircraft. The flight was forced to land in Boston due to the incident, and law enforcement officers took Usiripalli into custody upon arrival.
Authorities reported that the 17-year-old passenger who was sleeping was awakened to find Usiripalli standing over him. He allegedly stabbed the teen in the left clavicle with a metal fork before lunging at another 17-year-old nearby, striking him in the back of the head with the same utensil. The second victim suffered a laceration to the rear of his head. When crew members intervened, prosecutors said, Usiripalli raised his hand in the shape of a gun, placed his fingers in his mouth, and mimed pulling the trigger.
Usiripalli then turned toward a female passenger and slapped her across the face before attempting to slap a flight attendant. The disturbance prompted the flight’s diversion to Boston, where law enforcement officers met the aircraft and took Usiripalli into custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Usiripalli had previously entered the United States on a student visa and was most recently enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently lacks lawful immigration status. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.