A Fithian man has been arrested for attempted murder and a hate crime for allegedly stabbing a man at the Illinois Terminal Wednesday morning.
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A male witness told police the men were both seated in the waiting area when one man suddenly jumped up and shouted that this was his country and attacked a non-white male.
U of I employees received the following massmail this afternoon:
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
As some of you may have read in the newspapers, this morning a member of our faculty was severely injured during what appears to have been a senseless act of aggression and alleged hate crime by another not affiliated with the University of Illinois. The University is deeply saddened by this event.
We are grateful to those who intervened to offer aid and the thoughts of the entire University community are with the victim and his family, wishing for a complete and speedy recovery. I also want to reaffirm that ours is a community of tolerance that welcomes all people who are committed to enhancing the future of our University, community, state, nation, and world. We do not accept violence. The University stands ready to support law enforcement officials as they investigate this situation. As that process moves forward, I ask that we all take a moment to remember that compassion is our greatest virtue and that we are united together in a wish for healing and understanding in the wake of such a tragic incident.
Sincerely,
Mike
Michael J. Hogan
President
University of Illinois
Although the CPD and Hogan did not identify the victim, numerous sources with knowledge of the situation have said that it was Dhammika Dharmapala, a law professor. Our thoughts are with him as we wish him a speedy recovery.