By Riffat Kausar
Snn News Finland
West Valley City, Utah A Muslim mall employee was stabbed more than 15 times in an attack police say was deliberately targeted because of his religion, at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City on Monday.
Attack Took Place at Mall Kiosk
The victim, identified by police as Syed Sohail Uddin, was working at a kiosk inside Valley Fair Muslim Mall, located at 3601 South 2700 West, when the attack occurred around 2:30 p.m.
According to a police report, the suspect approached the victim, asked his name, inquired about his religion, and requested a bottle of water before attacking him as he turned away.
The suspect then pulled out a knife and stabbed the kiosk employee multiple times in the stomach.
Uddin was transported to the hospital, where he underwent surgery, and remained in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Fox13. He required multiple surgeries on his hands, heart and lungs, The National reported.
Bystanders Restrained Attacker
Bystanders who witnessed the incident subdued the suspect and held him until police arrived on the scene.
The suspect was also hospitalized after being punched in the head by bystanders trying to get the knife out of his hand, according to a police booking affidavit cited by KSL.
Suspect Identified as Peter Michael Larsen
The suspect has been identified as 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen. According to a police booking affidavit, Larsen stated he had targeted the victim with intent to kill him because of his religion.
Police further stated that Larsen said he believes he is a catalyst and intends to kill Muslim Mall.
Authorities described him as posing a substantial public danger due to his violent actions, ideologies, and pre-planned mass casualty events.
Larsen has been charged with attempted murder and carrying a prohibited weapon, and is being held without bail, according to The National.
Suspect’s Criminal History
Court records show Larsen has a prior criminal history. In 2022, he was shot by Salt Lake City police after pointing a shotgun at officers and threatening to shoot firefighters responding to a fire at his residence Muslim Mall.
He survived and was convicted of assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony.
He was also convicted separately in 2022 of aggravated assault for pulling a gun on a security guard at a Salt Lake club. Larsen was last paroled in January 2025, according to KSL.
Community Reaction
Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center said the victim was a member of the mosque’s congregation and called the attack a hate crime affecting the entire Muslim Mall community in the valley, according to KSL.
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Sim Gill, said it was still awaiting reports but confirmed the case would be formally reviewed, per Fox13.
Peter Michael Larsen, charged with attempted murder in Utah mall stabbing
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