A man in West Valley City, Utah, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a Muslim mall worker 15 times with the stated intent to kill him because of his religion. The incident occurred on July 13 at a kiosk in the Valley Fair mall.
The victim, identified as Syed Sohail Uddin, was attacked by Peter Michael Larsen, 48, during his shift. According to police, Larsen approached Uddin, asked for his name and religion, and then attacked him as he turned to grab a bottle of water. Uddin sustained 15 stab wounds to his hands, heart, and lungs and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Multiple bystanders intervened, wrestling the knife away from Larsen before police arrived. Larsen was also hospitalized after witnesses subdued him. He reportedly told an officer that he specifically targeted Uddin with the intent to kill him because of his religion. He has been booked into the Salt Lake County jail and is being held without bail.
Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center expressed that the attack reflects growing concerns about anti-Muslim sentiment and that the entire community feels unsafe. Larsen faces charges of attempted murder and carrying a prohibited weapon. He also has a history of violent offenses, including convictions for assault on a police officer and aggravated assault in 2022. Larsen was on parole after being granted it in 2024, with his parole later revoked and then reinstated in January 2025.
Uddin, described as a husband and father, faces a long recovery involving multiple surgeries and physical therapy. A GoFundMe has been established to support his family, as he is the primary provider.