Who is Salman Rushdie’s attacker Hadi Matar?
India Today
Salman Rushdie's attacker was identified as Hadi Matar, age 24, from New Jersey, by New York Police.
Moments after author Salman Rushdie was attacked on Friday, authorities arrested the man who stabbed the author. New York Police identified the suspect as Hadi Matar, age 24, from Fairview, New Jersey.
Major Eugene Staniszewski of the New York State Police told media on Friday that the suspect, Hadi Matar jumped on the stage soon after Rushdie was introduced and “stabbed him at least once in the neck and at least once in the abdomen”.
The president of New York's Chautauqua institute, where Rushdie was to give a speech said the attacker had a pass to access the grounds “just the way any other patron would have”.
Major Staniszewski said authorities are in the "process of obtaining search warrants for various items. There was a backpack located at the scene. There were also electronic devices".
He added that the investigation is still in its initial stages and there is no indication of a motive at the moment. The New York Police are working with the FBI and the sheriff’s office to determine the motive behind the attack, said Staniszewski.
He further said that at the moment, it is assumed that the suspect was "working alone" but they are investigating to make sure that was the case.
