A man has been arrested in Utah for allegedly stabbing a Muslim man multiple times, claiming he targeted the victim due to his religious beliefs, according to court records released Tuesday.
Police statements reveal the suspect reportedly told investigators he “intends to kill Muslims” and characterized himself as “a substantial danger to the public” based on his violent actions, ideologies, and pre-planned mass casualty intentions.
The attack occurred inside the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, on Monday. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds across his body and was reported to be bleeding profusely, per an affidavit from law enforcement.
Bystanders intervened, pinning the suspect to the ground until police arrived at the scene.
The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen, was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on charges of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon possession, according to jail records.
Authorities state Larsen admitted to targeting the Muslim victim with intent to kill him because of his religion, based on the police booking affidavit.
The suspect approached the victim, inquired about his name, questioned his religious affiliation, and requested a bottle of water, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, citing Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, who communicated with the victim’s family.
When the victim turned to retrieve the water, the attacker allegedly began stabbing him, according to Din’s account.
The victim was hospitalized in critical condition. A GoFundMe page established by a friend indicates the victim suffered 15 stab wounds and requires multiple surgeries. The suspect also sustained injuries during the incident and was later hospitalized before being transferred to jail.
Muslim advocacy organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have condemned the attack. Experts note a long-standing rise in Islamophobia since the September 11, 2001, attacks, exacerbated by anti-immigration policies, white supremacist ideologies, and tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Recent incidents include a 2023 stabbing of a Muslim child in Illinois and a 2026 mosque shooting in San Diego that resulted in multiple fatalities.