Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime in Stabbing of Asian American Student at Indiana University
A 57-year-old woman, Billie Davis, has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime charge following a violent incident last year involving an Asian American student at Indiana University Bloomington. Court documents reveal that Davis stabbed the 18-year-old student multiple times on a city transit bus, claiming she acted to eliminate “one less enemy,” as stated in the plea agreement.
Davis entered her plea last week after being indicted by a federal grand jury on felony charges under the Hate Crime Act. According to the plea agreement, she faces a maximum sentence of six years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December. In addition to prison time, she will be required to serve probation upon her release and pay restitution to the victim.
Davis’ attorneys indicated that the plea agreement, reached through extensive negotiations, will consider her mental health condition during sentencing. They noted that Davis is now receiving appropriate medication and has expressed remorse for the harm caused to the victim and her family.
The victim, identified only as Z.F., was seated near the back of the bus when Davis sat nearby. As Z.F. attempted to exit at her stop, Davis allegedly stabbed her seven to ten times in the head with a knife. Witness accounts reveal that another passenger attempted to confront Davis, who claimed that the victim was going to “blow up the bus” because she was Asian, while also shouting racial slurs.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found that Davis had acknowledged her actions, stating, “I snapped a minute ago, I hit some girl,” while using derogatory language to describe the victim. Investigators later reviewed bus footage, confirming there were no prior interactions between Davis and Z.F.
The attack left Z.F. with significant injuries, requiring hospitalization for multiple stab wounds and sutures. The incident has heightened concerns among Asian American students at the university, many of whom expressed feelings of insecurity and a lack of support.
Marah Yankey, a senior media relations consultant for Indiana University, emphasized the institution’s commitment to supporting affected students and their families, despite the limitations imposed by the victim’s privacy request.
This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of anti-Asian violence, reminiscent of a tragic 1999 case where a former IU student murdered doctoral student Won-Joon Yoon in a racially motivated attack. Community members continue to call for increased awareness and measures to combat hate crimes in the area.