Muslim man stabbed multiple times in Utah over his religion, police say
Police say Peter Michael Larsen told investigators he targeted the worker because he was Muslim and intended to kill Muslims.
- On Monday, Peter Michael Larsen was arrested for allegedly stabbing a Muslim kiosk worker 15 times inside the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah. Police stated the suspect targeted the victim specifically because of his religion.
- Authorities said Larsen told them he "intends to kill Muslims" and constituted a danger to the public due to "pre-planned mass casualty events." Police records indicate he targeted the victim with specific intent to kill him.
- Suffering "multiple stab wounds all over his body and was bleeding profusely," the victim was hospitalized in critical condition and required surgeries. Bystanders pinned the attacker to the ground before officers arrived at the scene.
- Imam Shuaib Din, who leads the Utah Islamic Center, stated the attacker approached the victim asking about his religion before the assault occurred. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and other groups condemned the incident.
- Rights advocates note rising Islamophobia in recent years, citing anti-immigration policies and fallout from Israel's war in Gaza as contributing factors. Past violent attacks include a 2023 stabbing in Illinois and a 2026 shooting at a San Diego mosque.
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Suspect accused of targeting Muslim employee in Utah mall stabbing, investigators say
A Utah man is accused of attempting to kill a Muslim mall employee in what investigators describe as a religion-based attack that left the victim critically injured and prompted renewed concerns about anti-Muslim violence in the United States, USA TODAY reported. Authorities arrested Peter Michael Larsen, 48, following the July 13 stabbing at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
Indian mission responds after Hyderabad man critically injured in suspected hate attack in Utah: 'Deeply saddened, closely monitoring'
The attack took place at Valley Fair Mall near Salt Lake City. Police arrested 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a prohibited dangerous weapon.
Muslim Indian national stabbed 15 times in US after being asked his religion: Reports
Washington, Jul 16: An Indian man was allegedly stabbed 15 times inside a shopping mall near Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah because of his religion, media reports said. Syed Sohailuddin, a worker in the Valley City Mall in West Valley City, Utah, was allegedly stabbed on Monday afternoon by Peter Michael Larsen, who asked the victim his religion, Fox 13 News reported. The suspect, Larsen, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and…
US: Indian stabbed 15 times in anti-Muslim hate crime
An Indian man, Syed Sohailuddin, was allegedly stabbed 15 times in a Utah shopping mall by Peter Michael Larsen, who targeted him due to his religious beliefs. Larsen, who stated his intent to kill Muslims, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is providing assistance, and the incident has drawn attention to rising Islamophobia in the United States.
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