A suspect has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of four U.S. college instructors at a public park in Jilin, northeastern China, police announced on Tuesday.
Authorities identified the suspect by his last name, Cui, describing him as a 55-year-old resident of the city’s Longtan District. According to the police, the incident occurred after Cui “collided with a foreigner while walking” in Beishan Park, a well-known green space in the city center.
Following the collision, Cui allegedly stabbed the instructors and a Chinese tourist who intervened to stop the attack, police reported. Officers received the call at approximately 11:49 a.m. local time on Monday and promptly dispatched personnel to the scene, transporting the injured to the hospital.
The victims have received appropriate medical treatment and are not in danger, according to an earlier police statement.
The educators, affiliated with Cornell College, a private liberal arts institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were injured during a partnership program with Beihua University in Jilin. Cornell College President Jonathan Brand confirmed that no students were involved in the program.
“We have been in contact with all four instructors and are assisting them during this time,” Brand said in a statement.
Footage of the attack’s aftermath circulated on Chinese social media on Monday but was quickly censored. The video showed two men and a woman lying on the ground with significant blood stains, surrounded by onlookers. They appeared conscious and were using their cell phones.
Beishan Park, the incident location, is less than a half-hour drive from Beihua University. The attack occurred on a public holiday in China.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that “four foreign teachers at Beihua University were attacked” while visiting the park and were immediately taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Iowa state Rep. Adam Zabner revealed that his brother, David Zabner, was among the victims. Adam Zabner reported that his brother, on his second visit to China with Cornell, is “doing well,” having been stitched up and in recovery.
The other three victims also survived the attack. “I’m just extremely grateful that my brother is OK and that he survived this attack,” Adam Zabner told CNN.
“Our family hopes to get my brother back home as soon as possible and ensure his health. We are grateful to the U.S. State Department and our federal delegation from Iowa for their assistance.”
The U.S. State Department acknowledged awareness of the incident and is monitoring the situation.