MUSLIM KIOSK WORKER STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES IN UTAH MALL

A man was arrested in Utah after stabbing a Muslim kiosk worker multiple times at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City on Monday. Peter Michael Larsen stated to police that he targeted the victim because of his religion and that he intended to kill Muslims, according to court records released on Tuesday. Bystanders pinned Larsen to the ground before officers arrived at the scene. Larsen was booked into Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.

The victim, a male Muslim kiosk worker, sustained multiple stab wounds across his body and was bleeding heavily, police said in an affidavit. According to Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Centre, Larsen approached the victim, asked his name and religion, then requested a bottle of water. As the victim turned to fetch the water, Larsen began stabbing him. A fundraising page set up for the victim stated he had been stabbed 15 times and required surgery. The victim was hospitalised in critical condition. Larsen was also hospitalised after sustaining injuries during his restraint by bystanders.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and other Muslim rights groups condemned the attack. US rights advocates have documented what they describe as rising Islamophobia over the past two decades, citing the September 11 attacks, anti-immigration policies, white supremacy and consequences of Israel's military operations in Gaza as contributing factors.