4 instructors with Iowa college attacked while visiting park in China

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG/Gray News) - Four instructors from Iowa’s Cornell College were stabbed during a trip to China.

The instructors were visiting a public park in Jilin City when they were attacked, as reported Monday. They were in China as part of a teaching partnership with Beihua University, KCRG reports.

Cornell College has confirmed that no students were involved in the trip.

Police in China say a suspect is in custody, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says two of the victims are in critical condition and undergoing surgery. She’s been in with two of the impacted families, as well as U.S. and Chinese officials.

“As far as we know, it was unprovoked and random. We don’t know any other motivation,” she said.

State Rep. Adam Zabner said “everyone is awake” and that his brother, David Zabner, is one of the victims.

David Zabner is a PhD student in computer science education at Massachusetts’ Tufts University but was working with Cornell during the teaching program, his brother said. He is recovering after being wounded in the arm during the attack.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that it is aware of reports of a stabbing and that it is monitoring the situation, according to the Associated Press.

In a message sent to students and staff, Cornell President Jonathan Brand said the colleges has been “in with all four instructors and are assisting them during this time.”