HOMEWOOD , Ill., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A man from the south suburban Chicago area was accused of stabbing an elderly black woman with a steak knife in what police are calling a racially motivated attack.
The assault occurred Friday at a Walt's Food Store in Homewood, Ill., south of Chicago. Using a 5-inch steak knife, Pol Danilov, 26, stabbed a 79-year-old woman four times in the back and neck, puncturing a lung.
Police arrived and found Danilov in the store with a knife on his person. Authorities say that he admitted to the stabbing, saying it was because of her race and that she was an "easy target."
Prosecutors claim that Danilov, who has no criminal record, has shown racist animosity against black people in the past. Danilov denied this claim in court Saturday, where he appeared with his arm in a sling, saying he had "no recollection" of such a history.
The victim was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
Charges against Danilov include attempted murder and committing a hate crime. Bail was set at $500,000.
