Man Critically Injured In Suspected Anti-Muslim Attack At Utah Mall

WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – In what could be a hate crime, a Hyderabad man was stabbed multiple times at a shopping mall after the attacker allegedly targeted him because of his religion.

Syed Sohailuddin, 37, is in critical condition after being stabbed at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, on July 13.

The assailant reportedly asked Sohailuddin if he was a Muslim before stabbing him more than 15 times. Sohailuddin was operating a kiosk at the shopping mall.

Bystanders overpowered the attacker and took away his knife before police arrived. The suspect was identified as Peter Michael Larsen, 48.

The family of Sohailuddin, in Hyderabad, India, has appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take up the matter with US authorities and facilitate visas for close family members to travel to the US. (IANS)