‘Are you Muslim?’: Indian-origin man stabbed 15 times in US after religion questioned
A man was arrested in the United States’ Utah for allegedly stabbing an Indian-origin man multiple times. He later told police that he targeted the victim because of his religion and “intends to kill Muslims”, court documents showed.
The attack, which took place at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City in the state of Utah, appeared to have been motivated by religious hatred, police stated. The accused, Peter Michael Larsen, 48, reportedly told police that he constituted “a substantial danger to the public if released based on his violent actions…ideologies and pre-planned mass casualty events”.
Details of the confrontation and multiple stab wounds
The victim, who worked at a mall kiosk, had “multiple stab wounds all over his body and was bleeding profusely,” police said in an affidavit, Reuters reported.
The incident took place when the victim was approached by the suspect, who asked his name and religion, and thereafter requested a water bottle, the Salt Lake Tribune reported, citing Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center.
Critical injuries and swift bystander intervention
As the victim turned to take the water bottle, the suspect allegedly stabbed him 15 times. The victim was taken to the hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds and remains in critical condition, The Independent added.
Police later said the accused Larsen was pinned to the ground by bystanders before officials arrived at the scene.
Community support and victim identification efforts
Another employee at the kiosk, Luna Nunez, who was present when the attack took place inside the mall, created a GoFundMe page to support the victim.
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According to ABC4 News, Adnan Mohammed, who is the owner of the kiosk where the incident took place, revealed the identity of the victim and said Sohail, 37, worked in the kiosk in Valley Fair Mall.
Witness testimony reveals religious profiling motives
“He said [Larsen] asked, ‘Where are you from?’ and he told him, ‘I’m from India, my name’s Sohail,” Nunez said. “Larsen said, ‘Are you Muslim?’ and Sohail said yes, and he just began stabbing him.”
