A Louisiana college student was attacked near St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Thibodaux on Friday, suffering injuries from a hammer assault. The suspect, 32-year-old Juan Monroy, faces an attempted second-degree murder charge and is held on a $500,000 bail at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex. University officials confirmed Monroy was employed at a non-university work site adjacent to the campus during the time of the attack. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, received medical treatment and has since been released.

Nicholls State University President Jay Clune expressed gratitude for the swift response of university police and other agencies involved in the investigation, emphasizing the university's focus on the student's well-being. The incident has sparked a discussion about immigration and security, with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry connecting such acts of violence to the need for enhanced security measures. Landry's comments specifically mentioned the federal government's consideration of Guantanamo Bay as a potential solution. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Monroy, preventing his release even if bail is met. While authorities haven't confirmed Monroy's immigration status, the case has fueled debate on the topic. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office and ICE are currently being contacted for further details.