India, July 15 -- A routine workday at a shopping mall in the US state of Utah turned into a nightmare after an Indian Muslim employee was allegedly stabbed 15 times in what police are investigating as a religiously motivated hate attack.

According to court documents, 48-year-old Peter Michael Larsen told investigators he deliberately targeted the victim because he was Muslim and admitted that he "intends to kill Muslims."

Authorities have charged Larsen with attempted murder and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct. He is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail.

Victim identified himself as Indian Muslim

Witnesses told the media that Larsen first struck up a conversation with the victim, identified by friends as Sohail, befo...