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Utah Man Charged With Federal Hate Crime in Stabbing of Muslim Mall Worker

Federal prosecutors allege Peter Larsen, 48, went to a West Valley City mall on July 13 to attack Muslims. Larsen has not been tried and is presumed innocent.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 13, 2026, 1:08 a.m. ET

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A 48-year-old Utah man has been with a federal hate crime over the stabbing of a Muslim employee at a shopping mall near Salt Lake City, according to BNO News. The outlet identified the defendant as Peter Larsen of Orem. Federal prosecutors say Larsen held anti-Muslim views and went to the West Valley Mall in West Valley City, Utah, on July 13 specifically to attack Muslims, BNO News reported. Prosecutors allege he bought a knife at a store inside the mall, asked employees whether they were Muslim, and stabbed a Muslim employee multiple times, including in the neck, until bystanders intervened and detained him. Those are allegations by prosecutors, not findings of fact. Larsen has been and has not been tried, and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court. The available record does not include a plea, a trial date or any verdict. The charge carries a statutory maximum of , according to BNO News. The case is at the charging stage, and the allegations have not been tested before a judge or jury. The matter remains open and developing; further details, including any response from Larsen or a defense attorney, were not in the available record.

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  1. Version 113 Aug 2026, 05:14current

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  2. Version 113 Aug 2026, 05:08current

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  3. Version 113 Aug 2026, 05:20

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