Who is Peter Michael Larson? Utah man arrested for stabbing Indian Muslim man in US mall; chilling details
Man arrested on suspicion of stabbing man in western US Muslim Multiple times alone in the mall. He reportedly told investigators that he chose his victims because of their faith and expressed an intention to kill Muslims, as described in court documents.
Authorities said the incident occurred Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City. Utahappears to be motivated by religious hatred. Investigators noted that the suspect “targeted the victim because of her religious beliefs” and warned that “he would pose a significant danger to the public if released due to his violent behavior, … ideology and pre-planned mass casualty incidents,” according to a court affidavit unsealed Tuesday.
Officers who arrived at the scene found the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds and “bleeding profusely,” as stated in the affidavit. Bystanders restrained the suspect until officers arrived on scene, according to police.
Suspect Peter Michael Larson arrested
The suspect’s name is Peter Michael Larsen, 48 years old. salt lake County Jail on charges of attempted murder and unlawful use of a dangerous weapon, according to jail records.
Investigators reported that Larson admitted to “targeting the victim with the intent to kill him because of his religious beliefs (Muslim).”
Indian Muslim stabbed in US: Shocking details
According to police reports, the victim was working at a kiosk inside the mall when the suspect approached him, asked his name, inquired about his religion and asked for a bottle of water. salt lake The Tribune quoted Shuab al-Din, the imam of the Islamic Center of Utah, as saying he had been in contact with the victim’s family.
When the victim turned to get water, the suspect began stabbing him, according to Ding.
The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition. one to fund me A campaign started by a friend said he was stabbed 15 times and required multiple surgeries.
The suspect was also treated in hospital for injuries sustained when bystanders restrained him before he was taken into custody.
What we know about the suspect’s criminal history
Larson was shot by police in Salt Lake City in 2022 after he pointed a shotgun at officers and threatened to shoot firefighters who arrived to put out a fire at his residence. He survived the incident and was convicted of assault on a police officer, classified as a second-degree felony, and sentenced to one to 15 years in the Utah State Prison.
Additionally, in a separate 2022 case, Larson was convicted of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, for brandishing a gun at a security guard at a South Salt Lake City gentlemen’s club after being kicked out of the club, according to court documents.
Larson was last paroled from prison in January 2025, according to the Board of Pardons website.
