The FBI is investigating last week’s hatchet attack in Nashville, Indiana, against a Chinese foreign exchange student to determine if the assault was a hate crime.
Zhang Yue, an 18-year-old Chinese exchange student at Brown County High School, was struck in the back with a hatchet in downtown Nashville the afternoon of Feb. 18 and was treated for serious injuries.
Police have arrested Dana Ericson, 59, on charges of battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery resulting in serious permanent disfigurement and attempted murder. He is being held at the Brown County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Depending on the outcome of the FBI’s civil rights investigation, Ericson could face a federal charge of a civil rights violation in addition to his other charges, FBI spokesperson Catherine Burton said.
A crime can be considered a hate crime when it involves an added element of bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or other factors, according to the FBI’s website.
“The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough and impartial manner,” Burton said in a statement.
Since the case is an ongoing FBI investigation, Burton said she could not provide any further details.
Yue is now recovering from her injuries. She was treated at Columbus Regional Hospital and was released by 11 p.m. that Thursday night, according to police.
Samantha Schmidt
