Indian Man Brutally Stabbed 15 Times at Valley Fair Mall in US for This Reason
A 48-year-old man was arrested in Utah after allegedly stabbing a Muslim mall worker 15 times in a targeted hate crime. The victim, a father of two, remains in critical condition. Bystanders tackled the suspect, who later admitted to investigators his intent to kill Muslims. The suspect, a parolee, now faces charges of attempted murder as the community condemns the attack.
A 48-year-old man was arrested in Utah on Monday, July 13, after allegedly stabbing an Indian-origin mall worker 15 times in an unprovoked attack. According to court documents, the suspect explicitly targeted the victim due to his religion, stating to investigators that he "intends to kill Muslims".
How the Attack Unfolded
The incident occurred inside the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City. Authorities stated that the suspect, Peter Michael Larsen, approached the victim - identified by friends as Sohail (Syed Sohail Uddin) - while he was working his shift at a jewellery kiosk. According to Luna Nunez, who works at a nearby store, Larsen questioned Sohail about his background before the violence began. 3 People Stabbed at New York Subway Station. Police Fatally Shoot Man with Knife.
"He [Larsen] asked, 'where are you from', and he told him, 'I'm from India, my name's Sohail," Larsen said 'are you Muslim', and Sohail said yes, and he just began stabbing him," Nunez told ABC Salt Lake City. Utah Islamic Center Imam Shuaib Din reported that Larsen had also asked Sohail for a bottle of water [1.1.1, 1.2.2]. The suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and launched the attack as the victim turned to retrieve the drink.
Bystanders Intervene
As the assault continued, several mall patrons rushed in to stop Larsen, tackling him to the ground and physically restraining him until law enforcement arrived. Recalling the terrifying moments, Nunez said, "I was throwing anything I could, shoes, a chair, anything. [Larsen] was stabbing him so vicious. I was scared for his life. I was just scared. I thought he was going to die". Larsen sustained minor injuries during the struggle with bystanders and was treated before being taken into custody. Sohail, who suffered 15 stab wounds, remains in critical condition and has undergone multiple surgeries.
Suspect's Violent History
Larsen has been charged with attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. He is currently being held at the Salt Lake County jail. In a booking affidavit, investigators emphasised that Larsen poses "a substantial danger to the public" because of his "violent actions... ideologies and pre-planned mass casualty events". Court records indicate that Larsen has a history of violent offences. In 2022, he was convicted of assaulting a police officer and aggravated assault after threatening law enforcement and firefighters with a firearm. He was released on parole in January 2025.
'There's No Space For Hate'
Friends and colleagues have spoken out about the devastating impact of the attack on Sohail's family [1.1.4]. Nunez started a GoFundMe campaign (Syed Sohail Uddin) to assist with his mounting medical expenses. "I know he doesn't have insurance. He's the only man that is working in his family. He has two babies and a wife, and they are not working right now," Nunez told KSL. Sohail's manager, Adnan Mohammed, strongly condemned the violence. "This is just crazy. Hate crime, there's no space for hate," he told Fox 13. "Always smiling, laughing, working very hard. You know, I promoted him as a manager to operate everything... When you kill a human, you're not just killing one guy. You're killing a whole family," Mohammed added. In another interview with ABC Salt Lake City, Mohammed expressed his grief over not being present during the incident: "I wish I was there to protect him. I would've given my life to protect him". Florida: Man Arrested After Stabbing Girlfriend 34 Times After Breakup.
Broader Concerns Over Anti-Muslim Violence
The attack has deeply shaken the local community. Nunez noted that other mall workers reported seeing Larsen walking around and asking people about their religion prior to the stabbing. Civil rights groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have condemned the attack. Advocacy organisations have repeatedly warned about a rise in anti-Muslim incidents in the United States over the years, pointing to factors including anti-immigration rhetoric, white supremacist activity, and tensions linked to the war in Gaza.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 07:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
