A Utah man has been indicted on a federal hate crime charge in connection with a July stabbing at a shopping mall that prosecutors say was specifically targeted at Muslims.
Peter Larsen, 48, of Orem, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of willfully causing bodily injury to a person because of the victim’s actual or perceived religion, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Larsen has been held in state custody since his July 13 arrest.
Prosecutors Say Victim Was Targeted Because He Was Muslim
According to court documents cited by federal prosecutors, police responded to West Valley Mall in West Valley City on July 13 after receiving a report of a stabbing.
The victim was found inside the mall with multiple stab wounds, including injuries to his neck, prosecutors said.
Investigators allege that Larsen held anti-Muslim views and went to the mall intending to attack Muslims.
According to the allegations, Larsen purchased a knife from a store inside the mall and approached employees, asking whether they were Muslim.
When the victim identified himself as Muslim, Larsen allegedly began stabbing him.
The attack was stopped after bystanders intervened and detained Larsen until police arrived, according to prosecutors.
Federal Hate Crime Charge Filed
The indictment charges Larsen under federal hate crime law for allegedly causing bodily injury because of the victim’s religion.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the department would pursue violence motivated by religious hatred.
Federal prosecutors also praised the people who intervened during the attack and expressed support for the victim’s recovery.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah described the alleged attack as an example of hate-fueled violence and said federal authorities would pursue the case.
FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said violence motivated by religious hatred can affect entire communities beyond the immediate victim and family.
Defendant Faces Potential Life Sentence if Convicted
If convicted, Larsen faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison, according to the Justice Department.
A federal district judge would determine any sentence after considering the federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the West Valley Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda of the District of Utah and Justice Department Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Milos Jovanovic are prosecuting the case.
What Happens Next
The federal indictment moves the case into the federal court process, but it does not establish Larsen’s guilt.
An indictment is an allegation, and Larsen is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The case is expected to proceed through federal court while Larsen remains in custody.
This is a developing story and may be updated as more information becomes available.
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