Key facts
- Peter Larsen, 48, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime charges.
- The indictment stems from a July stabbing of a Muslim man at Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah.
- Prosecutors allege Larsen attacked the victim because of his actual or perceived religion.
- The victim suffered multiple stab wounds, including to the neck, and required surgery.
- Larsen reportedly told police he intended to kill Muslims.
- Bystanders subdued Larsen until police arrived.
U.S. prosecutors announced on Wednesday that a federal grand jury has indicted Peter Larsen, 48, on hate crime charges for allegedly stabbing a Muslim man multiple times in mid-July. The incident occurred at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City, Utah.
According to the Justice Department, Larsen was indicted for "willfully causing bodily injury to a victim because of his actual or perceived religion." The victim sustained multiple stab wounds, including to the neck, and required surgeries. Federal prosecutors stated that an investigation determined Larsen went to the mall with the intent to attack Muslims, asking employees if they were Muslim before stabbing the victim after he responded affirmatively.