A 48-year-old man, Peter Michael Larsen, was arrested in Utah on suspicion of attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct after allegedly stabbing a Muslim man multiple times inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City on Monday, July 14, 2026.

According to court records and police statements, Larsen told investigators he targeted the victim because of his religion and expressed intent to kill Muslims. The victim, a kiosk worker, suffered multiple stab wounds and was bleeding profusely, requiring surgeries as noted on a GoFundMe page set up by a friend.

Authorities reported that bystanders pinned Larsen to the ground until police arrived. In a court affidavit released Tuesday, investigators described Larsen as a substantial danger to the public due to his violent actions, ideologies, and alleged plans for mass casualty events.

The suspect reportedly approached the victim, asked his name and religion, and requested a bottle of water before the attack. Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, who has been in contact with the victim’s family, confirmed these details through the Salt Lake Tribune.

Civil rights advocates have condemned the attack and warned of rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States, which has intensified since the September 11, 2001 attacks and has been further fueled by recent anti-immigration rhetoric, white supremacism, and tensions related to Israel’s war in Gaza.

Police classified the stabbing as motivated by religious hatred.

Sources