A formal indictment has been filed against an Indian citizen for allegedly attacking two teenage boys during an international flight from Chicago to Germany.
According to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice, the incident took place on October 25. The 28-year-old Indian national, identified as Praneet Kumar, attacked two 17-year-old boys using a metal fork during the flight.
Details reveal that Praneet Kumar first wounded one teenager on the shoulder and immediately followed up by striking the second teenager on the back of the head. When the cabin crew attempted to restrain him, he resisted erratically. He shaped his fingers into a pistol, placed them in his mouth, and seemingly mimed shooting himself.
The Department of Justice further stated that the attacker subsequently slapped a female passenger seated nearby and attempted to assault a member of the flight crew.
Due to the severity of the incident, the aircraft was diverted from its route and made an emergency landing at Boston Logan International Airport, where the police promptly arrested Praneet Kumar.
US authorities also confirmed that Praneet Kumar had initially entered the US on a student visa, but he no longer holds any legal status in the country.
If convicted, Praneet Kumar faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison
