RNA - The FBI has joined the investigation into the death of a University of Wisconsin-Stout student from Saudi Arabia who was fatally beaten in the city’s entertainment district as bars closed and Halloween revelers headed home last week.
Police have not made an arrest, and have not been able to confirm if Hussain Saeed Alnahdi’s death outside Toppers Pizza was a hate crime, Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson said in a prepared statement Friday afternoon.
“However, we will not dismiss the possibility until the (police department) has concluded the investigation,” the police chief added.
The local police department is using all available resources to investigate incoming leads and video surveillance from the area, Atkinson said. To bolster the investigative team, the Menomonie Police Department partnered with the UW-Stout Police Department and the Dunn County sheriff’s office.
“We have also been in consultation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Atkinson said.
Two reward funds totaling $20,000 have been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Alnahdi’s assailant. A memorial fund also has been set up by the university’s foundation.
Atkinson thanked the public for information and tips provided over the past week.
“We are humbled by the outpouring of support for the death of Hussain Alnahdi and the subsequent investigation,” said Atkinson, who attended the campus memorial service Thursday night for Alnahdi.
The police department is continuing to ask the public to come forward and contact Investigator Kelly Pollock with any information related to Alnahdi’s death.
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