Sikh truck driver stabbed 17 times in thr US raises concerns over attacks on South Asians

A Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times in an apparently unprovoked attack at a rest stop in Wyoming, prompting concern among Sikh and South Asian advocacy groups over possible bias-motivated violence.

The victim, identified by his lawyer only as Singh, was attacked early Sunday at a rest area along Interstate 80 in Sweetwater County. According to an arrest warrant, he was followed into a men’s bathroom by Andrew Bzdak, who allegedly stabbed him twice in the neck and twice in the chest.

Singh managed to flee the bathroom and was later airlifted to a hospital in Casper. He has since been discharged and is recovering with his family, according to Jasjit Singh of the Jakara Movement, which is representing him.

Bzdak, 44, was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene in his truck. He has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and is being held on $1 million bond.

Authorities have not determined a motive and have not said whether the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. “We have zero motive,” Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jeff Sheaman said, according to the Associated Press.

Advocates have called for investigators to examine whether the victim’s identity as a Punjabi Sikh played a role in the attack. The incident has also renewed concerns over inflammatory rhetoric targeting South Asian truck drivers.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 24.

- MaT