Hyderabad man stabbed multiple times over his religion in US mall

A Hyderabad man, Syed Sohail Uddin, was stabbed multiple times in a suspected religion-based hate attack at Valley Fair Mall in Utah, USA. The accused, Peter Michael Larsen, confessed to targeting him for being Muslim.

Hyderabad: A Hyderabad man was reportedly stabbed multiple times in a shopping mall in Utah, United States, in an alleged religion-based hate attack.  

The victim, Syed Sohail Uddin, a resident of Tolichowki in Hyderabad, was working at a kiosk inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Salt Lake County, Utah, when he was allegedly attacked on July 14 by Peter Michael Larsen, a US national. 

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According to police, Larsen repeatedly stabbed Sohail, causing multiple injuries across his body. The police said the suspect later confessed that he targeted the victim because he was a Muslim and allegedly told officers, “The victim is Muslim, a catalyst, and I intend to kill all Muslims.” 

Larsen has been charged with attempted murder and is currently lodged in the Salt Lake County Jail. Prosecutors have urged the court to deny him bail, citing the violent nature of the attack and the threat he allegedly poses to public safety.  

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco said it is in touch with the victim’s family and local authorities.

“The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is deeply saddened by the tragic stabbing incident involving an Indian national in Utah. The Consulate is in close contact with the friends and family and stands ready to provide all possible consular assistance. We remain engaged with local authorities and will continue to monitor the matter closely,” the Consulate said in a post on X.  

Meanwhile, Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) and the Movement for Social Justice, Awareness & Upliftment Shelter for Backward & Minority Communities, has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar seeking the Centre’s urgent intervention.

In his letter dated July 16, Khan said Syed Sohail Uddin has been living in Utah with his wife, Amreen Firdouse, and their two children for the past two years while working at Valley Fair Mall. Referring to the July 14 incident, Khan said Sohail was allegedly stabbed multiple times while on duty at the mall. 

Citing information released by US law enforcement agencies and international media reports, he said the suspect admitted targeting Sohail because of his religion. Khan added that the victim underwent emergency surgeries after sustaining multiple stab wounds and remains in critical condition.