A 48-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing an Indian Muslim worker multiple times inside a shopping mall in the US state of Utah. Investigators say the suspect admitted he deliberately targeted the victim because of his religion.

The incident took place on Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, where the victim was working at a kiosk. According to court documents, the accused, identified as Peter Michael Larsen, allegedly told investigators that he “intends to kill Muslims.”

Suspect allegedly asked victim about his religion before attack

Police said Larsen approached the kiosk and began speaking with the worker, who was later identified by friends as Sohail. According to witnesses, the suspect first asked where he was from.

A nearby jewellery store employee, Luna Nunez, said Sohail replied that he was from India. Larsen then allegedly asked whether he was Muslim. After Sohail answered yes, the suspect reportedly launched the knife attack.

According to Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center, Larsen had also asked Sohail for a bottle of water. As the victim turned to get it, the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and began stabbing him.

Victim stabbed 15 times, remains in critical condition

A GoFundMe campaign created by Nunez states that Sohail suffered 15 stab wounds during the attack. He has since undergone multiple surgeries and remains in critical condition.

Friends described Sohail as the sole earning member of his family, supporting his wife and two young children. Nunez said he does not have health insurance, adding that his family currently has no other source of income.

Bystanders overpowered suspect before police arrived

Witnesses at the mall intervened during the attack, tackling Larsen and restraining him until officers reached the scene. Police later treated the suspect for injuries sustained while he was being held down before taking him into custody.

Authorities have charged Larsen with attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. He is currently being held at the Salt Lake County jail.

Investigators said the accused poses “a substantial danger to the public,” citing his alleged violent actions, extremist views and concerns over possible pre-planned mass casualty intentions.

Friends condemn attack as hate crime

Sohail’s manager, Adnan Mohammed, condemned the assault, calling it a hate crime and saying there is “no space for hate.” He described Sohail as a hardworking employee who was always smiling and had recently been promoted to manage operations.

Mohammed also expressed regret that he was not present during the attack, saying he wished he could have protected Sohail.

Recalling the incident, Nunez said she threw nearby objects, including shoes and a chair, in an attempt to stop the attacker, adding that she feared Sohail would not survive.

She also said other mall employees later told her the suspect had been walking around the shopping centre asking people about their religion before the stabbing.

Civil rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over an increase in anti-Muslim incidents in the United States, citing factors such as anti-immigration rhetoric, white supremacist activity and tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

India and China have received a significant respite after US lawmakers revised a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, reducing the proposed tariff on countries importing Russian energy from a blanket 500% to a maximum of 100%.

The revised legislation, backed by late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, would authorise US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas if the bill becomes law.

Revised bill lowers tariff proposal

The original proposal sought to impose a 500% tariff on countries continuing to purchase Russian energy. Under the updated version, the tariff has been capped at 100% for the top purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.

The legislation is intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine by discouraging countries from relying on Russian energy supplies.

India and China are among the world’s largest buyers of Russian crude oil. Other major purchasers include Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan. In the natural gas segment, China, France, Japan, Hungary and Belgium rank among the leading importers.

Exemptions included in updated draft

The revised bill introduces an exemption for countries that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and are making substantial efforts to reduce those imports. If the provision is retained, countries such as Japan, France, Hungary and Belgium could qualify for relief.

The legislation also proposes sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow tanker fleet, major financial institutions including the Central Bank of Russia, and key state-backed energy projects such as Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG projects 1, 2 and 3.

Additionally, the bill allows the US President to waive sanctions if doing so is considered to be in the national interest.

Negotiations led to softer provisions

According to a Senate aide quoted by media, several provisions were moderated following months of negotiations aimed at securing support from President Donald Trump.

The aide said the revised bill represents the version that has broad backing and is most likely to advance through Congress while maintaining pressure on Russia.

The legislation, originally introduced in April 2025 by Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, is expected to attract additional bipartisan support.

Trump optimistic about passage

President Trump said at the White House that the legislation could also be expanded to include sanctions targeting Iran and Hezbollah, describing it as a potentially significant measure.

He expressed confidence that the bill could eventually become law, describing it as an initiative that Senator Graham strongly supported.

However, Senator Blumenthal urged lawmakers to move ahead with the current version instead of broadening its scope, arguing that additional targets could complicate the bill’s progress.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.