Federal grand jury indicts man for hate crime in stabbing of Muslim man in Utah

U.S. prosecutors announced on August 12 that a federal grand jury has indicted Peter Larsen, 48, of Orem, Utah, for a hate crime related to the stabbing of a Muslim man in mid-July. The indictment states that Larsen willfully caused bodily injury to the victim because of his actual or perceived religion. The incident occurred at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah, where Larsen allegedly purchased a knife and asked mall employees if they were Muslim. Upon receiving a positive response from the victim, Larsen began stabbing him multiple times, including in the neck. The victim required surgeries due to his injuries. Bystanders intervened to stop the attack until police arrived. Larsen has been in state custody since his arrest on July 13. The Justice Department's statement highlighted concerns regarding rising Islamophobia in the U.S. over the past two decades, exacerbated by various socio-political factors.