Lansing, MI – Zach Tennen, 19, of Franklin, Michigan is recovering from injuries he sustained as a victim of a hate crime. The Michigan State University student says he was attacked early Sunday morning at a party near the University campus and was rendered unconscious, according to a story on ClickonDetroit.com (http://bit.ly/PK2sXd). When Tennen awoke, he found a staple in his mouth and his jaw was broken.
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Tennen says he was asked by his attackers just prior to his assault if he was a Jew. He responded affirmatively, after which his assailants made “Nazi and Hitler symbols” and said they were “part of the KKK.” The family has been in touch with the Anti-Defamation League.
“Right below my teeth in the middle it’s cracked,” Tennen said of his injuries. The staple “was coming up in my two bottom teeth and it started in my gum, so, somehow they managed to staple it,” he added.
Following the beating, other partygoers helped Tennen up. He called a taxi to take him to Lansing Sparrow Hospital where he was treated. His jaw needs to be wired.
“I want everyone to know how severe this is,” Tennen said. “They could have killed me. I’m going to try my best to make sure they don’t get away with this.”
The East Lansing Police Department did not comment on the incident or the investigation.