A Jewish student at Michigan State University says his jaw was broken in an attack by two assailants who he says displayed "religious hatred."
But a statement issued Tuesday afternoon by the East Lansing Police Department questions the account, saying the assault was “likely not a hate crime.”
The statement also said the ELPD’s preliminary investigation has yielded a potential suspect and two witnesses.
Zach Tennen told East Lansing police his attackers asked if he was Jewish, and when he responded "yes," he was punched in the face.
The 19-year-old sophomore from the Detroit suburb of Franklin was recovering Tuesday from jaw surgery. He says the assault took place early Sunday at an off-campus party.
In a statement sent to The Associated Press, Tennen says "no one should ever be subjected to the horror" he experienced.
He says along with punching him, his attackers stapled his mouth.
East Lansing police also said they are making "significant progress" in their investigation.