New Delhi: An Indian employee was fatally attacked by asking his religion while shopping in a mall located in Utah, US. The accused first asked the victim his name and religion, and "yes i am muslim" As soon as he heard this, he started attacking him with a knife.
What happened in the mall?
The incident occurred on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City. According to court documents, 48-year-old Peter Michael Larson approached Sohail, who was working at the kiosk. he asked first "where are you from?" Sohail replied "I am from India, my name is Sohail." After this Larson asked "Are you a Muslim?"
Sohail’s "Yes" As soon as he said this, Larson took out the knife. Luna Nunez, who works at a nearby jewelry store, told ABC Salt Lake City that Larson also asked Sohail for a water bottle. As soon as Sohail turned to take the bottle, he was attacked. According to the GoFundMe campaign, Sohail was stabbed 15 times. He has undergone several surgeries and his condition is still critical.
People nearby saved their lives
Before the police arrived, people present in the mall ran to Larson and controlled him. Investigators said Larson "Big danger to the public" is because his "Violent thinking and planning for mass destruction" Was. Larson later explained that she deliberately chose Sohail because he "Wanted to kill Muslims." Larson was also treated for injuries he sustained while being restrained before being taken into custody.
What did friends and manager say?
Sohail’s friends described him as hardworking and the sole breadwinner of the family. Luna Nunez told KSL "He doesn’t have insurance. He has two children and a wife, and they are not working right now." Sohail’s manager Adnan Mohammed described the attack as hate-motivated.
He told Fox 13, "This is madness. There is no room for hatred. He always smiled and worked very hard. When you kill a person you kill an entire family." Luna Nunez said she was throwing whatever she could get her hands on during the attack. "He was beating her very brutally. I thought he would die."
Concern over increasing hate crimes!
Civil rights groups have said that incidents against Muslims have increased in America in the last few years. Anti-immigration statements, white supremacist activities and tensions related to the Gaza war are being said to be the reasons behind this. A case of attempt to murder and possession of dangerous weapons has been registered against Larson. He is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail.
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