- Oct 17, 2011
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A Utah man accused of stabbing a Muslim mall worker at least 15 times in broad daylight told police he targeted the victim because of his religion and "intends to kill Muslims," according to court documents.
Investigators allege Peter Michael Larsen, 48, carried out the attack Monday inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City after asking the victim about his faith.
Police wrote in a booking affidavit that Larsen poses "a substantial danger to the public" because of his "violent actions ... ideologies and pre-planned mass casualty events."
The victim, who worked at a mall kiosk, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
[Nearby jewelry kiosk worker] Nunez described the chaos of the scene in an interview with the station.
“I was throwing anything I could, shoes, a chair, anything. [Larsen] was stabbing him so vicious. I was scared for his life. I was just scared. I thought he was going to die.”
Nunez added that she heard from other mall workers that the suspect had been going around the mall, asking them about their religion.
Salt Lake City’s Fox affiliate reports that in 2022, police went to Larsen’s home after he set his yard on fire and then threatened to shoot responding firefighters. In the incident, shots were fired, but Larsen, who was armed with a shotgun, was unharmed.
He was sentenced to prison over the incident and released in January 2025. He completed his high school diploma while incarcerated. [Larsen is 48.]
Investigators allege Peter Michael Larsen, 48, carried out the attack Monday inside Valley Fair Mall in West Valley City after asking the victim about his faith.
Police wrote in a booking affidavit that Larsen poses "a substantial danger to the public" because of his "violent actions ... ideologies and pre-planned mass casualty events."
The victim, who worked at a mall kiosk, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
[Nearby jewelry kiosk worker] Nunez described the chaos of the scene in an interview with the station.
“I was throwing anything I could, shoes, a chair, anything. [Larsen] was stabbing him so vicious. I was scared for his life. I was just scared. I thought he was going to die.”
Nunez added that she heard from other mall workers that the suspect had been going around the mall, asking them about their religion.
Salt Lake City’s Fox affiliate reports that in 2022, police went to Larsen’s home after he set his yard on fire and then threatened to shoot responding firefighters. In the incident, shots were fired, but Larsen, who was armed with a shotgun, was unharmed.
He was sentenced to prison over the incident and released in January 2025. He completed his high school diploma while incarcerated. [Larsen is 48.]
