A spokesperson for the FBI Indianapolis Division says the agency is opening a civil rights investigation into the attack against a foreign exchange student in Nashville last week.
Police say Dana Ericson, 59, attacked an exchange student from China with a hatchet in downtown Nashville Feb. 18. He told police he was trying to bring about an "ethnic cleansing."
The student was transported to Columbus Hospital where she was treated and released.
If the FBI investigation determines Ericson may have committed a hate crime, the case will be forwarded to the Department of Justice.
Ericson pled not guilty on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, and battery. He has a $5000,000 bond and has a competency hearing in April.
Indiana is one of only five states in the country without a hate crimes law. Efforts to change that this session likely won't advance.