A 48-year-old man has been arrested in Utah after allegedly stabbing a Muslim kiosk worker multiple times inside a shopping mall, with police saying the suspect admitted he targeted the victim because of his religion.
According to court records released on Tuesday, the attack took place on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City.
Police identified the suspect as Peter Michael Larsen, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of a prohibited dangerous weapon. He is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Investigators said Larsen allegedly told officers that he intended to kill the victim because he was Muslim and admitted he “intends to kill Muslims.” Police also stated in court documents that the suspect poses “a substantial danger to the public” due to his violent actions, extremist beliefs and alleged plans for mass casualty attacks.
The victim, a Muslim man working at a kiosk in the mall, suffered multiple stab wounds across his body and was found bleeding heavily when officers arrived.
Authorities said members of the public intervened and restrained the suspect until police reached the scene.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, citing Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, the suspect first approached the victim, asked for his name and religion, and requested a bottle of water. As the victim turned to retrieve the water, the suspect allegedly launched the attack.
The victim remains in hospital in critical condition. A fundraising page created by a friend claims he was stabbed 15 times and has undergone multiple surgeries.
The suspect also received injuries while being subdued by bystanders before he was taken into custody.
The incident has renewed concerns over anti-Muslim violence in the United States. Civil rights groups have reported a rise in Islamophobia in recent decades, particularly following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and more recently amid growing anti-immigration sentiment, white supremacist activity and tensions linked to the war in Gaza.
