A woman from Indianapolis has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for a violent hate crime against an Asian student in Bloomington, Indiana. Billie Davis, 57, attacked a Chinese student on a public bus earlier this year, leaving the victim with serious injuries.
The horrifying incident happened on January 11, 2023, when the student, referred to as “Z.F.,” was riding a Bloomington Transit bus near Indiana University’s campus. Davis boarded the bus and sat directly behind Z.F. At one stop, as Z.F. stood to get off, Davis pulled a folding knife from her pocket and stabbed the student in the head multiple times, striking her about seven to ten times before stopping.
Z.F. managed to flee, while shocked passengers confronted Davis, who calmly sat back down. When police arrested her later, Davis made shocking remarks, referring to the victim with racial slurs and claiming her actions meant there was “one less enemy.”
Z.F.’s injuries included several stab wounds and required medical attention, including stitches and staples.
In response to the attack, the Justice Department condemned Davis’ actions, calling them racially motivated. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke described the assault as targeting Z.F. solely because she was Chinese. “Racially motivated violence has no place in our society,” Clarke said, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Zachary A. Myers, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, echoed the sentiment, stressing that everyone has the right to feel safe in their community. He highlighted ongoing efforts through the Department of Justice’s United Against Hate initiative to prevent and address hate crimes.
The FBI’s Indianapolis office also weighed in, reaffirming its commitment to protecting civil rights and ensuring that acts of hate-driven violence are met with justice.
Since the attack, Davis has remained in custody. Alongside her prison sentence, she will serve three years of supervised release, according to officials.
