Muslim man stabs two at Detroit-area bus stop after asking their religion: police

A 39-year-old Detroit man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly stabbed two men at a bus stop when they told him they weren’t Muslim.

Terrence Lavaron Thomas was arraigned Tuesday on two counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent and possession of a controlled substance, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Police have contacted the FBI to investigate whether a hate crime was committed after Mr. Thomas, who later told police he was Muslim, allegedly stabbed two men at a Southfield, Michigan, bus stop.

“The victims in this case said that the suspect asked them if they were Muslim,” said Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins. “They responded that they were not, and then there was some back-and-forth between the victims and the suspect.”

Mr. Thomas then started stabbing one of them, Chief Hawkins said. A 52-year-old Detroit man was stabbed five times, including three times in the back, and a 51-year-old Detroit man who tried to intervene was stabbed in the hand, the Free Press reported.

Police said the three men did not know each other. Both victims have been released from Providence Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, the Free Press reported.

Minutes after the attack, Mr. Thomas was arrested a few blocks away with two knives and some marijuana in his possession, police said.

“We are getting indications through my officers that the suspect was somewhat incoherent afterward, and so there’s a question about his stability,” Chief Hawkins said.

A judge set Mr. Thomas’ bond at $1 million. His next court appearance is March 4, the Free Press reported.

The FBI investigation could reportedly lead to federal charges if Mr. Thomas is suspected of ethnic intimidation, defined in Michigan law as acting “maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person’s race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.”