A Muslim man from India was stabbed multiple times in Utah, United States, by a 48-year-old white man, who allegedly targeted the victim because of his religion.
The suspected religiously-motivated attack took place at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, on Monday where the victim, identified as Sohail, worked at a jewellery brand’s kiosk.
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According to the police, the suspect, 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, told them that he “intends to kill Muslims.”
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Larsen reportedly approached Sohail at the kiosk and asked his name. When Sohail told him his name, he further asked, “Are you a Muslim?”
When Sohail said yes, he asked him for water. As Sohail turned to get the water bottle, the accused began to stab Sohail and continued until he was pinned to the ground by bystanders.
“He said (Larsen) asked, ‘Where are you from?’, and he told him, ‘I’m from India, my name’s Sohail,'” Luna Nunez, a friend of Sohail, who visited him in the hospital, told ABC4. “Larsen said, ‘Are you Muslim?’ and Sohail said yes, and he just began stabbing him.”
Sohail was reportedly stabbed 15 times. In an affidavit, police said Sohail had “multiple stab wounds all over his body and was bleeding profusely.”
He was admitted to a nearby hospital where his condition is said to be critical.
The 48-year-old accused has been booked into the Salt Lake County jail for investigation into attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.
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