Muslim man stabbed more than 15 times in Islamophobic attack in Utah

A Muslim mall worker was stabbed more than 15 times in Utah in an Islamophobic attack where the suspect admitted to targeting the victim "with the intent to kill him" because of his faith.

Syed Sohail Uddin, 37, was working at a kiosk inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City on Monday afternoon local time when he was repeatedly stabbed.

Police arrested 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, with court records saying that he told investigators he had targeted Uddin because he was Muslim.

Uddin survived the attack but remains in critical condition after sustaining more than 15 stab wounds. He is expected to face a lengthy recovery and has undergone treatment for severe injuries, according to local reports and a fundraising page established to support his family.

Horrific incident in Utah! A Muslim brother, Sohail, was stabbed 15 times in a mall by 48 year old Peter Micheal Larson after he asked if he was Muslim. The result of the political rhetoric we hear. You probably wont see this on mainstream media. May Allah grant him shifa… pic.twitter.com/cRZaDNKGEj

Uddin’s colleagues described him as a hardworking and caring father of two young children.

“Always smiling, laughing, working very hard,” his manager, Adnan Mohammed, told local news outlet Fox 13.

Mohammed said Uddin had recently been promoted to a managerial position at the mall kiosk and described him as more than an employee. “He’s family,” he said.

Many online shared these sentiments and were outraged by this attack. 

Peter Michael Larsen, 48 ans , est le terroriste Americain qui a poignardé 15 fois dans le dos un homme musulman en raison de sa religion, alors que celui-ci s’était retourné pour lui donner une bouteille d’eau à sa demande. Quelle lâcheté ! Quelle horreur ! https://t.co/2d32YlhSwb

According to Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, who had been in contact with Uddin’s family, the suspect approached Uddin, asked his name and religion, and requested a bottle of water. As Uddin turned to retrieve it, the suspect began stabbing him. 

Luna Nunez, who was working at a nearby jewellery store, said she heard Uddin screaming and rushed to help.

“I was throwing anything I could, shoes, a chair, anything,” she told Fox 13. “He was stabbing him so viciously. I was scared for his life. I was just scared. I thought he was going to die.”

Other shoppers and mall employees intervened during the stabbing, managing to wrestle the knife from Larsen and restrain him until police arrived, according to court records.

Footage circulated online that showed several people surrounding the suspect and beating him unconscious, likely saving the victim's life in the process.

Larsen was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a prohibited dangerous weapon.

According to a police booking affidavit, Larsen told investigators that he had “targeted the victim with intent to kill him because of his religion”.

Court documents said he also described himself as a “catalyst” and told officers that he intended “to kill Muslims”.

Investigators said Larsen posed “a substantial danger to the public”, citing his violent conduct, ideology and references to “pre-planned mass casualty events” targeting Muslims.

The statements attributed to Larsen in the court records leave little ambiguity over the Islamophobic motive behind the attack, although prosecutors are still determining the formal criminal charges he will face.