Man attacks foreign student with a hatchet

Dana Erickson has been jailed in Brown County

Calling it an act of ethnic cleansing, a man attacked a foreign exchange student from China with a hatchet.

It happened Thursday afternoon in Nashville, Indiana.

The 18 year old girl suffered a severe injury to the back but officials said it was not life threatening.  She was treated and released from a Columbus, Indiana Hospital.

59 year old Dana Ericson is charged with attempted murder, and aggravated battery charges.

The Bloomington Herald Times reports, Ericson told police he intended to kill the woman in an act of “ethnic cleansing.”

The newspaper also reported that Ericson has an extensive criminal record and history of psychological issues.