Indiana woman charged with hate crime in stabbing of Indiana University student

An Indiana lady who has already been charged within the assault of an 18-year-old pupil has been charged with a federal hate crime, officers stated Friday. 

Billie Davis, 56, stabbed the teenage Indiana College pupil within the head on a public bus in January 2023. Video of the assault reveals no interplay between Davis and the coed earlier than the stabbing. In keeping with court docket paperwork, Davis stated that she stabbed the coed, who’s of Chinese language descent, due to her race. Davis was charged with tried homicide and aggravated battery. The coed, who has not been publicly recognized, survived the assault 

On Thursday, a federal grand jury convened in Evansville, Indiana, returned a single-count indictment charging Davis with an extra rely of committing a hate crime. 

The indictment alleges that Davis harmed the coed due to her race and nationwide origin. The indictment additionally alleges that Davis was trying to kill the sufferer. Assistant U.S. Legal professional Peter A. Blackett for the Southern District of Indiana and Trial Legal professional Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division’s Felony Part are prosecuting the case.

James  Wimbush, the vice chairman of variety, fairness, inclusion and multicultural affairs at Indiana College, addressed the incident shortly after it occurred. 

“This week, Bloomington was sadly reminded that anti-Asian hate is actual and might have painful impacts on people and our group,” Wimbush stated of the southern Indiana metropolis. “Nobody ought to face harassment or violence as a result of their background, ethnicity or heritage. As a substitute, the Bloomington and IU communities are stronger due to the huge variety of identities and views that make up our campus and group tradition.”