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Utah: An Indian man was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times inside a shopping mall in Utah in what police are investigating as a suspected hate crime. Authorities said the suspect allegedly targeted the victim after asking about his religion and later admitted that he intended to attack Muslims.

The incident took place on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City. According to investigators, the victim, identified by friends as Sohail, was working at a kiosk when 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen approached him and began a conversation.

Attack allegedly followed questions about religion

Police said Larsen first asked Sohail where he was from. After learning he was from India, he allegedly asked whether he was Muslim. When Sohail answered yes, the suspect allegedly launched the attack.

According to investigators, Larsen later admitted he deliberately chose the victim because he was Muslim. He has been charged with attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct and is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail.

Friends of the victim said Sohail was stabbed 15 times and has undergone multiple surgeries. He remains in critical condition.

Bystanders restrained suspect

Before police arrived, several bystanders intervened, tackled Larsen and restrained him until officers reached the scene. Police said the suspect was treated for injuries sustained during the struggle before being taken into custody.

Authorities described Larsen as posing a significant danger to the public due to his alleged violent actions and extremist ideology.

Friends call attack a hate crime

Friends and colleagues described Sohail as the sole earning member of his family, which includes his wife and two young children. His manager condemned the attack, calling it a hate crime and saying there was “no space for hate.”

Witnesses also claimed the suspect had been asking other people about their religion inside the mall before the stabbing. The incident comes amid concerns raised by civil rights groups over an increase in anti-Muslim incidents in the United States.