An armed Islamophobe was arrested in Simi Valley, California after he stabbed an innocent bystander. It is reported that the perpetrator, John Matteson, confronted a group exiting a mosque and then stabbed one of them on Saturday evening.
Witnesses told police that there was a second suspect who was also involved. When police arrived, they found a group of people fighting, with Matteson, 29, being one of the identified perpetrators.
After a verbal altercation between Matteson and mosque attendees, he stabbed the victim, with the second suspect fleeing by foot. California’s police are still searching for the second man. The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime, as the police have determined that the victim was targeted simply because he was Muslim.
The person who was stabbed is in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
An Increase of Hate Crime Towards Muslim and Muslim Americans
This incident is likened to a case in August 2016, where a New York resident shot and killed two Muslims in broad daylight, horrifying a Bangladeshi community. In the past year, Americans have experienced a surge in hate crimes against all groups, especially towards Muslims. Many of it has been tied to the vitriol that is Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, where he consistently used Muslims as a scapegoat and a puzzle piece to placate his base.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Featured image via ABC 7.
