University: Student stabbed to death on bus because she is Asian

A 56-year-old woman has been charged after an 18-year-old Indiana University student was stabbed repeatedly in the head on a public bus in an attack the school said happened because the victim was Asian.

The victim told investigators she was standing waiting for the doors of a Bloomington Transit bus to open Wednesday afternoon when another passenger began hitting her in the head, Bloomington police said in a news release.

CCTV footage from the bus showed no interaction between the two women before the attack.

A witness who was also riding the bus followed the woman’s attacker and contacted police, who later arrested Billy R. Davis of Bloomington. Davis was charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery. in accordance with court records.

The victim was hospitalized with multiple stab wounds. Her name has not been released.

Court documents show Davis said the victim was targeted because of her race, in accordance with VNSU-TV.

Citing court records, WRTV-TV Davis reportedly told police she stabbed the woman several times in the head with a folding knife because it “would be one less person to blow up our country.”

Records did not identify an attorney representing Davis.

“Bloomington was sadly reminded this week that anti-Asian hate is real and can have a painful impact on individuals and our community,” Indiana University Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs James Wimbush said in a statement. “No one should face harassment or violence because of their origin, ethnicity or heritage. Instead, the Bloomington and IU communities are stronger because of the tremendous diversity of identities and perspectives that make up our campus and community culture.”

Bloomington is located in southern Indiana.