A Muslim man is fighting for his life after being stabbed multiple times in what authorities are investigating as a suspected hate crime at a shopping mall in West Valley City, Utah. Police say the attacker deliberately targeted the victim because of his religion, raising fresh concerns over rising anti-Muslim violence in the United States.

According to investigators, the suspect, Peter Michael Larsen, allegedly approached the victim, who was working at a kiosk inside Valley Fair Mall, asked about his name and religion, and then launched a brutal knife attack. Court documents state that Larsen later admitted he intended to kill the victim because he was Muslim and told police he “intends to kill Muslims.” The victim suffered multiple stab wounds and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Bystanders quickly intervened, restraining the suspect until officers arrived at the scene. Larsen, 48, was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges including attempted murder and weapons-related offences. He was also treated for injuries sustained while being subdued.

The attack has been strongly condemned by Muslim advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which called for a thorough investigation. The incident comes amid ongoing concerns over Islamophobia and religiously motivated violence in the United States, with rights groups urging authorities to take stronger action against hate crimes.