Utah Man Accused of Stabbing Muslim Mall Worker

A Utah man, Peter Michael Larsen, 48, has been accused of stabbing a Muslim mall worker multiple times in broad daylight at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City. According to court documents, Larsen targeted the victim, identified by friends as Sohail, because of his religion, stating he ‘intends to kill Muslims.’ Sohail, a kiosk worker at the mall, suffered multiple stab wounds across his body and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Larsen was tackled to the ground and subdued by bystanders before officers arrived at the scene.

He has been booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. The attack has been widely condemned by Muslim advocacy groups, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Civil rights groups have warned of rising anti-Muslim hate in the United States, citing anti-immigration rhetoric, white supremacist activity, and tensions surrounding the war in Gaza.

According to a GoFundMe page created by a friend, Sohail was stabbed 15 times and has undergone multiple surgeries. His manager, Adnan Mohammed, described him as ‘always smiling, laughing, working very hard.’ Mohammed also expressed his regret at not being present to protect Sohail, saying ‘I would’ve given my life to protect him.’ Larsen’s history of violent behavior includes a 2022 incident where he set his yard on fire and threatened to shoot responding firefighters. He was sentenced to prison and released in January 2025.

The attack has left the Muslim community in Utah feeling unsafe, with Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center stating, ‘The whole entire community is a victim because now they all feel unsafe.’ Sohail’s family, including his wife and two young children, are currently without a breadwinner. I know he doesn’t have insurance. He’s the only man that is working in his family.

He has two babies and a wife, and they are not working right now, said Luna Nunez, a friend who created the GoFundMe page. This is just crazy. Hate crime, there’s no space for hate, said Adnan Mohammed, Sohail’s manager.