Utah man who stabbed Muslim multiple times indicted for hate crime by federal grand jury

A federal grand jury has indicted Peter Larsen, 48, on hate crime charges for allegedly stabbing a Muslim man multiple times in mid-July. The indictment, announced by U.S. prosecutors, specifically cites "willfully causing bodily injury to a victim because of his actual or perceived religion."

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for the federal hate crime of willfully causing bodily injury to a victim because of his actual or perceived religion

Larsen, from Orem, Utah, has been in state custody since his arrest on July 13. The Justice Department stated that an investigation determined Larsen went to the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City with the intent to attack Muslims. He reportedly purchased a knife inside the mall and asked employees if they were Muslim before targeting the victim.

The attack has heightened concerns among Muslim Americans. Police described the victim as having "multiple stab wounds all over his body and was bleeding profusely." Larsen allegedly told police he "intends to kill Muslims." The victim required surgeries following the assault. Bystanders intervened to subdue Larsen until police arrived.

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intends to kill Muslims

This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing Islamophobia in the United States, which rights advocates attribute to factors including the September 11 attacks, anti-immigration policies, white supremacy, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The article notes other recent violent attacks, including the 2023 stabbing of a Muslim child in Illinois and a 2026 shooting at a San Diego mosque.

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multiple ⁠stab wounds all over his body and was bleeding profusely