I intend to kill Muslims’: Indian mall worker in US stabbed by Utah man

Utah Mall Stabbing: Suspect Targeted Victim Based on Religion

A 48-year-old Utah man has been arrested and charged after allegedly stabbing a Muslim kiosk worker multiple times in a targeted attack at a shopping mall. Peter Michael Larsen was taken into custody on Monday at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City after bystanders intervened to stop the assault. According to police booking affidavits, Larsen told investigators that he intentionally targeted the victim because of his religion and that he “intends to kill Muslims.” Authorities have labeled Larsen a “substantial danger to the public” due to his violent actions, stated ideologies, and references to “pre-planned mass casualty events.”

The Attack and Bystander Intervention

The victim, identified by friends as Sohail, was working at a kiosk when the suspect approached him. Witnesses and local officials reported that Larsen first asked the worker for his name and where he was from. After the victim identified himself as being from India and confirmed he was Muslim, Larsen reportedly requested a bottle of water. As the victim turned to retrieve the item, the suspect began stabbing him. Bystanders at the mall rushed to assist the victim, throwing objects including chairs and shoes at the attacker. According to Luna Nunez, a witness who works at a nearby jewelry store, she attempted to intervene to save the man’s life. Bystanders successfully pinned Larsen to the ground until law enforcement officers arrived at the scene.

Victim’s Condition and Community Impact

Sohail remains hospitalized in critical condition. According to a GoFundMe page organized by a friend, the victim was stabbed 15 times and has undergone multiple surgeries. Friends and family have highlighted the personal impact of the violence, noting that the victim is the sole provider for his wife and two children. Adnan Mohammed, the victim’s manager, expressed the gravity of the assault, stating that the attack on the individual was an attack on his entire family. Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, who has been in contact with the victim’s family, noted that while the stabbing targeted one person, it has left the broader community feeling unsafe.

Suspect’s Background and Legal Status

Larsen was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. He also required medical treatment for injuries sustained during the struggle with bystanders. Court records and local media reports indicate that Larsen has a history of violent encounters with law enforcement. Following that incident, he served a prison sentence and was released in January 2025.

Context of Rising Islamophobia

The attack has drawn condemnation from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and other advocacy groups. Civil rights organizations have pointed to a long-term trend of anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States, noting that such hostility has intensified in recent years. Advocates attribute this rise in tensions to several factors, including:

• Persistent discrimination following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
• Increased anti-immigration rhetoric.
• The rise of white supremacist activity.
• Global geopolitical tensions, including the war in Gaza.

This incident follows other high-profile acts of violence against the Muslim community in recent years, including the 2023 fatal stabbing of a six-year-old boy in Illinois and a 2026 shooting at a mosque in San Diego that resulted in five deaths.

Find more reporting in our World section.