Accessibility links

Breaking News

Student Union

Saudi Student From U of Wisconsin Killed

© Courtesy Tommy Hutson
© Courtesy Tommy Hutson
An international student from Saudi Arabia studying at the University of Wisconsin-Stout died after being attacked in downtown Menomonie, Wisconsin, according to police.

Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, was assaulted early Sunday morning outside Topper's Pizza by a suspect described as a 6-foot-tall white male, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports.

Alnahdi was found unconscious and bleeding from his mouth and nose by police shortly after the incident.

He was transported to Mayo Health System in Menomonie, then taken to Mayo Health System in Eau Claire, where he died from his injuries on Monday, police said.

Alnahdi was from Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and came to the U.S. to study business administration at UW-Stout in 2015, according to the university.


In a statement, UW-Stout Chancellor Bob Meyer said, "Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to Hussain’s family in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, and his friends at UW-Stout."

Meyer also called for action to anyone on campus or in the community who has information about the incident to contact the authorities.

Many classmates and faculty members showed their outrage and condolences on Twitter.





Some students are even troubled by the fact that this incident has not been deemed a hate crime yet.







"I just want our Saudi students to know that they are wanted, they are a deeply important part of this community, they've valued, and we'll do everything we can to keep them safe," said Emi Etuemke, an assistant professor at UW-Stout, to WEAU-TV.

Police said Monday that the motive for the attack is unclear, but they are treating it as a homicide and will continue to monitor surveillance camera's from other businesses in the area.

Erik Atkinson, the town's chief of police, told NBC that authorities will "not dismiss that this could be a hate crime."

In an effort to find the assailant, the city of Menomonie and University of Wisconsin-Stout established a reward for $15,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Alnahdi's attacker. According to the UW-Stout website, the reward is administered through the Community Foundation of Dunn County and will be funded privately through donations. No tax dollars will be involved.

The Council on American Islamic Relations also put a $5,000 reward for more information to bring Alnahdi's assailant to justice.

Chancellor Meyer organized a memorial service for friends and classmates to reflect and remember Hussain Alnahdi .

We're eager to see your comments and thoughts, so please continue this conversation in the comments below this story. And post your comments and questions on our Facebook page, thanks.

See all News Updates of the Day

Trump administration opens antisemitism inquiries at 5 colleges, including Columbia and Berkeley

FILE - Students walk past Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif., May 10, 2018.
FILE - Students walk past Sather Gate on the University of California at Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif., May 10, 2018.

The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday.

It's part of President Donald Trump's promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than the Biden administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. It comes the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses.

In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests.

Along with Columbia and Berkeley, the department is now investigating the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University and Portland State University. The cases were opened using the department's power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of investigations, which stem from complaints.

Messages seeking comment were left with all five universities.
A statement from the Education Department criticized colleges for tolerating antisemitism after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that followed. It also criticized the Biden administration for negotiating "toothless" resolutions that failed to hold schools accountable.

"Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses," said Craig Trainor, the agency's acting assistant secretary for civil rights.

The department didn't provide details about the inquiries or how it decided which schools are being targeted. Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern were among those called to testify on Capitol Hill last year as Republicans sought accountability for allegations of antisemitism. The hearings contributed to the resignation of multiple university presidents, including Columbia's Minouche Shafik.

An October report from House Republicans accused Columbia of failing to punish pro-Palestinian students who took over a campus building, and it called Northwestern's negotiations with student protesters a "stunning capitulation."

House Republicans applauded the new investigations. Representative Tim Walberg, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, said he was "glad that we finally have an administration who is taking action to protect Jewish students."

Trump's order also calls for a full review of antisemitism complaints filed with the Education Department since Oct. 7, 2023, including pending and resolved cases from the Biden administration. It encourages the Justice Department to take action to enforce civil rights laws.

Last week's order drew backlash from civil rights groups who said it violated First Amendment rights that protect political speech.

The new task force announced Monday includes the Justice and Education departments along with Health and Human Services.

"The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found," said Leo Terrell, assistant attorney general for civil rights. "The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump's renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools."

STEM, business top subjects for international students

FILE - The Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Sept. 12, 2024.
FILE - The Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Sept. 12, 2024.

The Times of India breaks down the most popular subjects for international students to study in the U.S.

STEM and business lead the pack. Read the full story here. (January 2025)

Safety and visa difficulties among misconceptions about US colleges

FILE - A person walks near buildings, Dec. 17, 2024, on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.
FILE - A person walks near buildings, Dec. 17, 2024, on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.

U.S. News & World report addresses some of the misconceptions about U.S. colleges and universities, including the difficulty of getting a visa.

Read the full story here. (January 2025)

Work opportunities help draw international students to US schools

FILE - Students cross the campus of Dartmouth College, March 5, 2024, in Hanover, NH.
FILE - Students cross the campus of Dartmouth College, March 5, 2024, in Hanover, NH.

US News & World Report details the three top factors in foreign students' decision to study in the U.S. They include research opportunities and the reputation of U.S. degrees. Read the full story here. (December 2024)

British student talks about her culture shock in Ohio

FILE - Spectators look at the solar eclipse through protective eyewear on the football field at Bowling Green State University on April 8, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ohio.
FILE - Spectators look at the solar eclipse through protective eyewear on the football field at Bowling Green State University on April 8, 2023, in Bowling Green, Ohio.

A British student who did a year abroad at Bowling Green State University in Ohio talks about adjusting to life in America in a TikTok video, Newsweek magazine reports.

Among the biggest surprises? Portion sizes, jaywalking laws and dorm room beds.

Read the full story here. (December 2024)

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG