The suspect who is accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie during an event in New York on Friday has been charged with attempted murder and assault, police announced Saturday.
Hadi Matar was taken into custody after he was seen rushing the stage at the Chautauqua Institution, where Rushdie was giving a speech, and repeatedly stabbing the author. Matar is now being held without bail, police said.
SHOCK VIDEO SHOWS MOMENT RUSHDIE ATTACKER WAS TACKLED BY AUDIENCE MEMBERS
“We have been in touch with our counterparts in the State of New Jersey, where the attacker is from, to share information and assist them in helping us to better understand the planning and preparation which preceded the attack so that we and the different agencies involved can determine what, if any, additional charges should be asserted,” the Chautauqua County District Attorney Office said in a statement. “We will try to be as transparent as we can without compromising the case.”
As Rushdie was stabbed in the eye, likely being permanently maimed, dozens of members of the audience could be heard gasping and rushing to the stage, according to a three-minute clip documenting the incident. Meanwhile, several other audience members surrounded the author to begin treating him after the stabbing.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Authorities have not yet determined a motive, but they believe Matar was acting alone, according to CNN. An investigation is underway, including an attempt to get search warrants for a backpack and electronic devices found at the scene.
Rushdie drew controversy in the late 1980s upon the publication of The Satanic Verses, a book that many Muslims believed to be blasphemous. He received many death threats, particularly after Iran issued a fatwa that asked all Muslims to kill him. A bounty as high as $6 million was also placed on his life, according to the Index on Censorship.
