'Are You Muslim?': Man Asks Indian Worker Before Launching Brutal Knife Attack at US Mall (Video)

An Indian Muslim man remains in critical condition after being stabbed 15 times on Monday inside a Utah shopping mall in what police are calling a premeditated, religiously motivated attack. Authorities reported that the suspect questioned the victim about his nationality and faith before carrying out the assault, later admitting to investigators that he targeted the man specifically because of his Islamic faith and expressed an intent to kill Muslims.

The incident unfolded on July 13 at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, where the victim—identified by community members as Sohail—was working at a retail kiosk. According to eyewitnesses and court documents, the suspect approached the kiosk, asked Sohail where he was from, and asked for his name. After Sohail replied that he was from India, the suspect asked, "Are you Muslim?" When Sohail confirmed he was, the suspect asked for a bottle of water, and as Sohail turned to grab it, the suspect pulled a knife and began stabbing him repeatedly. New York Knife Attack: At Least 5 Injured, One Seriously, in Penn Station Stabbing; Suspect Taken Into Custody.

Bystanders inside the mall intervened to halt the attack. Witnesses reported throwing shoes, chairs, and other nearby objects to distract the assailant. Several members of the public then tackled and pinned the suspect to the ground, holding him until police officers arrived at the scene.

The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, was taken into custody and treated for injuries sustained while being restrained by the public. He has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. According to court records filed on Tuesday, Larsen explicitly told police he targeted the victim because of his religion and warned that he remains a danger to the public due to his ideologies and plans for "mass casualty events."

Sohail was rushed to a local hospital, where he has undergone multiple surgeries for wounds all over his body. A GoFundMe page has been set up by friends to help cover his medical expenses, as he is the sole provider for his wife and two young children and does not have health insurance. Florida: Man Arrested After Stabbing Girlfriend 34 Times After Breakup.

Indian Muslim Man Stabbed 15 Times at Utah Shopping Mall

A man reportedly stabbed a worker at Valley Fair Mall in Utah earlier today but was knocked out by fellow shoppers in short order before police arrived on scene 🥊

"The stabbing happened just before 3 p.m. at a kiosk inside the mall. Police said a male suspect approached the… pic.twitter.com/BdxC0SK69T

— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) July 14, 2026

Larsen was previously known to local law enforcement. In 2022, police responded to his residence after he allegedly set fire to his yard and threatened firefighters with a shotgun. He was sentenced to prison for that incident and was released in January 2025. Local civil rights organizations have expressed deep concern over the attack, noting that it reflects a broader rise in anti-Muslim hostility and hate crimes across the United States in recent years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2026 08:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).