MERRILLVILLE (IN)
CNN
August 22, 2018
A Catholic priest was beaten while praying at his church in Merrillville, Indiana, and authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime.
The Rev. Basil John Hutsko told police he was attacked Monday morning inside the St. Michaels Byzantine Catholic Church as he was praying in the sacristy.
The attacker “grabbed him by the neck, threw him down on the floor and immediately started slamming his head against the floor. Both sides, front and back,” Merrillville Police Chief Joseph Petruch told CNN affiliate WBBM.
The assailant left Hutsko battered, bruised and unconscious. And during the assault the attacker yelled, “‘This is for all the little kids,'” Petruch said.
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