Connect with us

Legal

Muslim mall worker critically injured in stabbing over his religion

Published on

Credit: Social media

A Muslim kiosk worker was critically injured after a stranger stabbed him repeatedly at a mall in Utah in an attack police say was motivated by his religion. Bystanders subdued the suspect and took away his knife.

The stabbing happened just before 3 p.m. Monday at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, near Salt Lake City, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

The 48-year-old suspect approached the worker and began a brief conversation, asking his name and religion before requesting a bottle of water, Imam Shuaib Din of the Utah Islamic Center told the outlet.

When the worker turned to get the water, the man pulled out a knife and began stabbing him. Several bystanders intervened before police arrived, subduing the attacker, pinning him to the ground and wrestling away the knife.

The worker, identified by a fundraising campaign only as Sohail, suffered more than 15 stab wounds and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The fundraiser said he needs surgery for injuries to his hands, heart and lungs.

The suspect was also taken to a hospital after bystanders punched him in the head while subduing him. He was later booked into the Salt Lake County jail and ordered held without bail.

The man told police that he targeted the worker and intended to kill him “because of his religion,” according to a probable cause statement cited by The Salt Lake Tribune. No information was released about whether hate crime charges are being considered.

Related Topics:

Most Viewed