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Utah man arrested for stabbing Indian Muslim man in US mall; Chilling details out Peter Michael Larsen, 48, was taken into custody for attempted murder after stabbing a Muslim man multiple times in a Utah mall.
Updated on: Jul 15, 2026, 22:10:46 IST By Shweta Kukreti Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A man has been apprehended in the western United States following an alleged stabbing of a Muslim individual multiple times within a shopping mall.
He reportedly informed investigators that he chose the victim due to his faith and expressed his intention to kill Muslims, as stated in court documents.
A 48-year-old man, Peter Michael Larsen, has been arrested for attempting to murder a Muslim individual in a mall, citing religious animosity. (Utah Department of Corrections) Authorities indicated that the incident, which occurred on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, seemed to be driven by religious animosity.
According to a court affidavit made public on Tuesday, investigators noted that the suspect "targeted the victim because of the victim’s religion" and cautioned that he represents “a substantial danger to the public if released based on his violent actions, … ideologies and pre-planned mass casualty events”.
Officers who arrived at the scene discovered the victim with numerous stab wounds and "bleeding profusely," as stated in the affidavit.
According to police, bystanders held the suspect until the officers could reach the location.
Investigators reported that Larsen confessed to having "targeted the victim with the intent to kill him due to his religion (Muslim)." Indian Muslim stabbed in US: Shocking details out The victim, employed at a kiosk within the mall, was approached by the suspect, who inquired about his name, asked about his religion, and requested a bottle of water, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, which cited Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, who has been in communication with the victim's family.
As the victim turned to get the water, the suspect reportedly began to stab him, according to Din.
The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
A GoFundMe campaign set up by a friend said that he had been stabbed 15 times and required several surgeries.
The suspect also received treatment at the hospital for injuries sustained after bystanders restrained him before he was taken into custody.
What we know about suspect's criminal history In 2022, Larsen was shot by police officers in Salt Lake City after he aimed a shotgun at them and threatened to shoot firefighters who had arrived to address a fire at his residence.
He survived the incident and was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, classified as a second-degree felony, and was sentenced to a term ranging from one to 15 years at the Utah State Prison.
Additionally, in a separate case in 2022, Larsen was convicted of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, for brandishing a firearm at a security guard at a gentleman's club in South Salt Lake after being ejected from the premises, as per court documents.
According to the Board of Pardon's website, Larsen was last released on parole from prison in January 2025.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shweta Kukreti Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics.
She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk.
She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events.
Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives.
She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics.
In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team.
She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World.
Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work.
Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC).
She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi.
If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh.
She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family.
