Chicago Man Stabs 79-Year-Old Black Woman in Apparent Hate Crime

Last week, 26-year-old Pol Danilov stabbed an unnamed 79-year-old woman multiple times outside of a Chicago-area grocery story. Cook County prosecutors say Danilov told police he attacked the senior citizen because she was black and an "easy target."


The Chicago Sun-Times reports Danilov used a steak knife with a five-inch blade to stab the woman four times. She sustained injuries to her neck and back as well as a punctured lung.

He had a knife on him when he was apprehended and told police “he believed the victim was vulnerable based on age and race,” police said.

Prosecutors said Danilov has a history of animosity against African-Americans. But Danilov said in court Saturday that he had “no recollection” of that history.

Danilov, who appeared in court with a cast on his left arm, has no criminal history. He was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail on Saturday for attempted murder and committing a hate crime.

The victim was taken to a hospital and is “expected to make a full recovery,” according to police.

This is your daily reminder that racism isn't going to magically die out in younger generations. We aren't going to be able to just wait it out. Let's make sure this woman gets the justice she deserves.

-Kimberly Foster