Family of Tolichowki native stabbed in US hate crime seeks emergency visas

The family of Syed Sohail Uddin, a resident of Tolichowki in Hyderabad, has appealed to the Government of India and the US Consulate General for diplomatic intervention and emergency visas after he was critically injured in an alleged hate crime in Utah, United States, on July 14, 2026. The family is seeking immediate assistance to travel to the US and to ensure Uddin receives the best possible medical treatment.

Uddin was working at a kiosk inside the Valley Fair Mall, located in West Valley City, Salt Lake County, Utah, when he was allegedly assaulted. The attacker has been identified by authorities as Peter Michael Larsen, a United States national. Uddin resides in Utah with his wife, Amreen Firdous, and their two young children, who are aged five and three.

According to Uddin’s family in Hyderabad, they first received news of the attack on Tuesday night, India time. Initially, the family was informed that Uddin had only sustained minor injuries in the incident. However, their understanding of the situation changed drastically an hour later when they saw videos of the attack circulating on social media.

Asma Firdous, Uddin’s sister-in-law, stated that the social media footage showed a well-built man repeatedly attacking Uddin with a large dagger. She confirmed that Uddin was stabbed 16 times during the assault and sustained life-threatening injuries.

The family has urged the Indian government to raise the matter with US authorities to secure proper medical care for Uddin. They have also made an urgent appeal to the United States Consulate in Hyderabad to grant emergency visas to family members so they can travel to Utah immediately.

Asma Firdous shared that Uddin's wife, Amreen Firdous, is currently in a state of shock and fainted upon learning about the brutal attack on her husband. Amreen is currently staying at the hospital to be by her husband's side, leaving no one available to care for their two young children. The family hopes that the prompt issuance of emergency visas will allow them to provide much-needed support during this critical time.