Man charged with attempted murder, hate crime for Homewood stabbing

Pol Danilov / photo from Homewood police

(HOMEWOOD) A south suburban man allegedly stabbed an elderly African-American woman in a Homewood grocery store because of her race.

Pol Danilov, 26, 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 on Saturday.

The 79-year-old woman was stabbed four times, in the back and neck Friday morning at Walt’s Food Store at 2345 183rd Street in Homewood. The knife, with a five-inch blade, also punctured a lung, authorities said.

Danilov, of the 18400 block of Harwood Avenue in Homewood, remained in the store after the stabbing and was arrested.

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.