Police: Woman, 79, stabbed in alleged hate crime in Illinois

HOMEWOOD, IL -- A 79-year-old woman is recovering Saturday after being stabbed in what police are calling a hate crime at a well-known south suburban food store.

The stabbing happened Friday morning at Walt's Food store in the 2300-block of 183rd Street in Homewood.

Pol Danilov, 26, of Homewood has been charged with attempted first degree murder. Danilov told police following his arrest that he attacked the senior citizen with a steak knife because she was black and an "easy target," Cook County prosecutors 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 on a $500,000 bond on Saturday for attempted murder and committing a hate crime.

The injured woman was transported to a nearby hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

Sun Times Media Wire contributed to this story.