New York: A 24-year-old man from Fairview, New Jersey has been named as suspect in Friday’s stabbing of author Salman Rushdie on stage in western New York.

In a press release issued several hours after attack on Indian-born author, police named as 24-year-old Hadi Matar.

Maj. Eugene Staniszewski of New York State Police stated that Matar came on stage as Rushdie (75) was preparing to speak at a literary event held by Chautauqua Institution late in morning and stabbed him at least once in neck and once in stomach.

According to Staniszewski, witnesses and security personnel swarmed Matar and tackled him after attack. Later, he was taken into custody by a state policeman and a deputy from local sheriff’s office who were on hand to maintain order during panel discussion.

FBI investigators have arrived to assist local and state officials in their investigation of high-profile stabbing, but according to Staniszewski, police has not yet established a reason for Matar’s alleged attack on Rushdie.

Matar, who had purchased a ticket to Friday’s talk, could face various charges depending on Rushdie’s condition after attack.–Agencies

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 14 2022

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