Man allegedly stabs two people at Detroit bus stop after asking if they were Muslims

The two men who were stabbed have been released from the hospital

(Southfield Police Department)

A man allegedly asked two people if they were Muslims before allegedly stabbing them at a suburban Detroit bus stop on Saturday, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

One man was stabbed five times and another – who police said tried to intervene – was stabbed in the hand, police said. The men were treated at the hospital and have since been released.

The alleged attack happened at 10:30 pm on Saturday in Southfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detriot, and police arrested Terrence Lavaron Thomas shortly after. Mr Thomas allegedly was carrying two knives and some marijuana, and told police he was a Muslim.

Mr Thomas has been charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of carrying a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a controlled substance, Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins told the Free Press.

The magistrate set Mr Thomas’ bond at $1 million.

Police say Mr Thomas was incoherent when they arrested him. He allegedly asked the men if they were Muslim and when they said they were not, he allegedly began attacking one of the men.

The FBI has started an investigation to see whether Mr Thomas committed a hate crime, which would be a federal crime.

The stabbing comes about a week after a man in North Carolina allegedly killed three Muslims, whose parents say it was a hate crime. Police have said the incident began over a parking dispute and have not said it was a hate crime. The FBI also is investigating that case.

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