A stabbing incident at Valley Fair Mall southeast of Salt Lake City resulted in the arrest of Peter Michael Larsen on suspicion of attempted murder and carrying a prohibited dangerous weapon. According to court records filed Monday, Larsen told police he repeatedly stabbed the victim, a Muslim man employed at the mall, because of the victim’s religious beliefs and stated an intent to kill him.
The victim sustained more than 15 stab wounds during the attack, which occurred Monday afternoon. Bystanders present at the scene intervened and removed the knife from the suspect’s possession before law enforcement arrived. A GoFundMe page was established to assist with the victim’s medical expenses related to his recovery from the injuries sustained in the attack.
Larsen, 48 years old, was on parole for a prior violent felony at the time of the incident. He is currently being held without bail. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office is conducting an investigation to determine whether additional charges will be pursued. District Attorney Sim Gill declined to provide further comment pending completion of the investigation.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement following the incident, with national executive director Nihad Awad calling on elected officials and community leaders to reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate in all forms. The incident follows another violent attack earlier in the year at an Islamic Center in San Diego involving multiple fatalities.
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