When Zachary Tennen was partying at an off-campus location in East Lansing, he had no idea he would end up in the hospital for broken jaw and stapled mouth in the next few hours.
Tennen, a 19-year-old journalism sophomore at the Michigan State University was allegedly attacked by two college-aged men in the wee hours of Sunday morning at the party after confirming he was Jewish.
According to the Tennen's parents, Tina and Bruce Tennen, the men did Hitler salute, chanted 'Heir Hitler' before brutally attacking him and knocking him unconscious, reports Detroit Free Press. Zachary Tennan was quoted in WDIV interview that the men told him they belonged to KKK- Ku Klux Klan.
"I'm really, really upset in a few ways; First of all it is a terrible experience, physically and also mentally to know someone would do something like this," he said to MSU student newspaper State News.
He also said that a score of people just stood there watching without offering any help while his mouth was shut with staples. He was allegedly kicked out of the house where the party was taking place instead of offering help.
According to State News, his jaw had been severely broken at two places due to the assault and he took cab to Sparrow Hospital where he had to seek immediate treatment for the injury. His father said Zachary would be undergoing a surgery Monday.
When Detroit Free Press tried to contact the house where party had taken place, a young man reportedly opened the door and said that police had instructed him not to talk about the incident.
Bruce Tennen said to Detroit Free Press that he is working with the anti-defamation league and plans to contact FBI so that the two perpetrators are caught and prosecuted. The family has reportedly filed a report with East Lansing Police.
"Michigan State University's Student Affairs and Services office has reached out to the family of the student assaulted in East Lansing to provide the academic and other support the student needs," MSU spokesperson Kent Cassella said to State News. "MSU will work with the student and his professors to ensure he can fulfill his academic requirements, as we would with any student in need."
Some of the alumni have strongly condemned and expressed their dismay at the incident.
"As a Spartan Alum and human being, I am utterly disgusted that some people could act like this," said an alumnus of the school.
The East Lansing Police released a statement Tuesday saying that the incident 'is not likely a hate crime' and they are not considering it as one in their investigation. And a potential subject has reportedly been identified.
