A 56-year-old woman was arrested after she allegedly confessed to repeatedly stabbing an Asian student at Indiana University in the head on a public bus in Bloomington, Indiana, in what police said appeared to be an unprovoked, racially-motivated attack. The attack unfolded aboard the bus around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, the Bloomington Police Department said in a statement. The knife attack was captured on the bus’ onboard surveillance camera. The victim, whose name was not released, told investigators she was attacked without warning when she stood up to exit the bus on Fourth Street in downtown Bloomington, several blocks from the Indiana University campus. Police officers called to the scene found the victim bleeding from her head and immediately called an ambulance, which took the victim to an area hospital for treatment where it was determined that the victim had multiple stab wounds to her head.
Authorities said that the suspect, Billy R. Davis of Bloomington, was taken into custody after a passenger who witnessed the assault followed her on foot. According to a criminal complaint, the suspect allegedly confessed to stabbing the 18-year-old victim with a folding knife and told detectives she did so because it would mean “one less person to blow up our country.” Davis was initially booked at the Monroe County Jail and on a felony battery charge, which was later amended to attempted murder after she allegedly confessed to investigators.
James Wimbush, vice president of diversity, equity and multicultural affairs at Indiana University, said in a statement: “This week, Bloomington was sadly reminded that anti-Asian hate is real and can have painful impacts on individuals and our community. No one should face harassment or violence due to their background, ethnicity or heritage. Instead, the Bloomington and IU communities are stronger because of the vast diversity of identities and perspectives that make up our campus and community culture.”
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton also said in a statement: “We stand with the Asian community and all who feel threatened by this event. Following the brutal attack of a member of our community, I want to state categorically that here in the city of Bloomington we deplore any form of racism and discrimination, especially hate based violence. This behavior is not acceptable and will be dealt with accordingly. Bloomington is a relatively safe place, but we are not immune to issues with which our entire nation is dealing. This senseless incident is a reminder that we should all look out for each other, be aware of our surroundings and seek to combat racism and prejudice in all its forms wherever and whenever we encounter it.”
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