Indian stabbed in US in hate crime: Reports
An Indian man was allegedly stabbed 15 times inside a shopping mall near Salt Lake City in the US state of Utah because of his religion, media reports said.
Syed Sohailuddin, a worker in the Valley City Mall in West Valley City, Utah, was allegedly stabbed on Monday afternoon by Peter Michael Larsen, who asked the victim his religion, Fox 13 News reported.
The suspect, Larsen, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a prohibited dangerous weapon. He told police he targeted the employee over his religious beliefs, according to the court records, ABC News reported.
Sohailuddin was transported to the hospital, where he underwent surgery. Larsen was also hospitalised with injuries suffered after he was punched in the head by those who stepped in to stop the alleged assault.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco said it was deeply saddened by the tragic stabbing incident involving an Indian national in Utah. “The Consulate is in close contact with the friends and family and stands ready to provide all possible consular assistance. We remain engaged with local authorities and will continue to monitor the matter closely,” the Consulate said in a post on X. Larsen told the law enforcement officials that “he believes he is a catalyst and he intends to kill Muslims.”
An affidavit filed by the authorities in court said that releasing Larsen from jail would be dangerous, “based on his violent actions today” and his ideologies. A witness told FOX 13 News that he was inside a nearby store where he worked when he heard shouting and people running away from a scene where the alleged stabbing had taken place.
