Indiana woman admits to committing hate crime by stabbing Asian teen

Billie Davis, a 58-year-old Indiana woman, pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for repeatedly stabbing a Chinese American teenager on a city bus while yelling slurs. Davis stabbed the 18-year-old Indiana University student in the head seven to ten times, causing serious wounds but the teen survived. Davis admitted to attacking the woman because she was Chinese and wanted to make “one less enemy.” The incident has caused fear and grief in Indiana’s Asian American community. This comes amid concerns that the election cycle could trigger a spike in hate crimes, as seen in previous cycles. Davis, who was initially deemed mentally ill, was later ruled competent to stand trial and faces up to six years in prison as part of her plea agreement. Other recent hate crime incidents include threats by a self-described racist skinhead in Maine and an anti-Asian attack in Boston. Experts warn that the current climate, fueled by xenophobic rhetoric from politicians, could lead to a rise in hate incidents across the country, particularly with the upcoming presidential election. Action is needed to address and prevent the spread of hate and discrimination in communities in the United States.

Photo credit
www.usatoday.com