MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The four Cornell College instructors who were stabbed in a park in China are expected to make a full recovery, according to U.S Sen. Chuck Grassley.
The Associated Press reports those victims were teaching in China through a partnership with Beihua University.
The suspect bumped into one of the victims in a public park and proceeded to stab them, then the other Iowa instructors, according to AP. The suspect also stabbed a passerby who tried to help the Iowa instructors.
AP reports that the instructors were rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
“We say to the families, we’re going to work as hard as we can to make sure that things go the best they can if they’re still in the hospital," Grassley said.
He added that he’s been in contact with both Chinese and U.S. officials, including a U.S. consulate general.
"That consulate is personally advocating for the attack victims, seeing that they're getting proper care," Grassley said.
Grassley is just one of multiple state leaders speaking out about the event. Iowa Rep. Adam Zabner, D-Iowa City, shared his brother, David, was one of the victims.
In a Facebook post, Rep. Zabner stated that David is recovering and doing well.
"My family is incredibly grateful that David survived this attack," Zabner wrote in part. "We'd like to see David home in Iowa as soon as possible."
The stabbing comes in the middle of ongoing tension between the U.S. and China. Still, Grassley isn’t worried about the incident impacting the relationship.
AP reports police believe the stabbing was an isolated incident. However, the investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to the Cornell College community, President Jonathan Brand said in part, "We have been in contact with all four instructors and are assisting them during this time. There were no students taking part in this program."