AT family of 75-year- old author – who It has for decades lived under threat because of his writings – said he in critical condition sunday after on-scene attack that ended with attacker detained down staff and guests, while Rushdie was airlifted to the hospital.
“Despite the fact that his life-changing injuries are serious, his usual cocky and cocky feeling of humor remains safe and sound,” son Zafar Rushdie said in Sunday statement.
Rushdie was taken off fan over weekend, but still treated for injuries, including three stab wounds to the neck, four stab wounds to the abdomen, stab wounds to the right eye and chest, and a laceration on his right hip, Chatoqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Saturday, adding that the author could end up up losing his right eye.
Suspect, identified as 24-year-old Hadi Matar, of Fairview, New Jersey was arrested by a state police officer after attack and taken into custody.
Authorities are currently investigating what caused the stabbings, prompting the state to increase its police presence. in Chautauqua, New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said.
What we know about “targeted, pre-planned” attack
Rushdie introduced give lecture at the Chautauqua Institute on Friday when a man rushed to the stage and stabbed the author in several places in front of stunned audience.
Employees and guests ran onto the stage and held down attacker in front of a state soldier assigned to event took According to the New York State Police, he was taken into custody.
Also wounded in in attack was Ralph Henry Reese, another speaker in event who injured minor head injury.
“It was very difficult to understand. like kind of bad prank and it didn’t make any sense of realityRalph Henry Reese told CNN’s Reliable Sources. behind him, became real.”
The witness, Joyce Lussier, was sitting in in second swear when she saw attack turn around. She heard people screamed and cried, she told CNN and saw people from the public in a hurry up To the stage.
Suspected Matar has arrived in Chautauqua at least a day before event and bought pass to event two days before, authorities said.
Schmidt called the stabbing “purposeful, pre-planned, unprovoked”. attack on Mr Rushdie,” said Matar went to Chatoqua by bus. with cash prepaid visa cards as well as false identification.
Criminal complaint against Matar indicated that a knife was used in stabbing.
it remains dont clear how the suspect could enter event armed with knife. However, a witness told CNN that no searches or metal detectors were carried out at the scene. event. Witness not identified because he expressed concern for their personal safety.
Institution president Michael Hill defended his organization’s safety plans when asked during news conference on Friday more precautions in future events.
“We evaluate for each event what we consider to be an appropriate level of security, and that is one was definitely one what we thought was important, so we had state cops and a sheriff,” Hill said.
On Sunday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul met with Chatauqua Institute stage crews and a policeman who helped take down Rushdie’s alleged attacker, calling them heroes.
” team It was on land here and the ambulance, the firemen and those who show up and literally saved a man’s life while he was being transported, did an incredible job,” the governor said.
Suspect pleads not guilty and is referred to as a “quiet” New Jersey resident.
Matar — who authorities said they had no documentary evidence criminal history – pleaded not guilty to the charges of second attempt murder and second attack with mean cause physical injury with a deadly weapon, his public The quarterback, Nathaniel Barone, told CNN on Saturday.
The lawyer said Matar was “very cooperative” and communicated openly, but he did not discuss what was said during those conversations.
He faces up up to 32 years in case of conviction of both charges, Schmidt said.
Matar has been described as a quiet person who mostly kept to himself.
The suspect entered the state. of Fitness boxing club in North Bergen, New Jersey in April, gym Owner Desmond Boyle told CNN.
“You know this look, this is the worst day of view of your life? He came in daily like it,” Boyle told CNN. on Saturday.
Member of at the gym, Roberto Irisarri, told CNN that Matar frequented gym about three or four times a week and was a “very quiet child”.
“It’s brotherly environment, family environment We try to involve everyone. He was pretty much on his own,” Irizarri said.
Rushdie gets flood of support How is he begins ‘road to recovery’
AT attack on eminent author produced an outpouring of support from world leaders.
This was stated by US President Joe Biden. in a statement in which he was saddened attack.
Salman Rushdie – with his understanding humanity, with its unrivaled meaning for story, with his refusal to intimidate or silence is worth for essential, universal ideals. Truth. Bravery. Sustainability. AT ability to share ideas without fear. These building blocks of any free and open society,” Biden said.
This was stated by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. in tweet he was “shocked” attack on rushdie, who is also British citizen.
“Horrified that Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed while exercising a right we should never stop protecting. Now my thoughts with his loved ones. We all hope he is doing well,” Johnson said Friday.
Rushdie former wife, TV presenter Padma Lakshmi, said in tweeting on Sunday, she was “relieved” that Rushdie was “surviving Friday’s nightmare.”
“Alarmed and silent, I can finally exhale. Now I hope for fast healing,” she said.
Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America, in the statement says
“PEN America is recovering from the shock and horror at the word of cruel, deliberate attack on our former President and staunch ally Salman Rushdie, who reportedly received multiple stab wounds times bye on stage performance at the Chautauqua Institute in upstate New York,” Nossel said. – We might think of no comparable incident of a public attack on literary writer on American soil.
Salman Rushdie has been targeted for his words for decades, but never faltered or faltered,” Nossel said. added. “He dedicated his tireless energy to helping others who vulnerable and under threat.”
In the writings of Rushdie there is won him several literary awards, but also examination. His fourth novelThe “Satanic Verses” drew condemnation from some Muslims. who found the book must be blasphemous.
The late Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who characterized the book as an insult to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, issued a religious decree, or fatwa, calling for Rushdie death in 1989.
As a result, Rushdie began the decade under the British protection.
While the motive behind Friday stabbing remains is under investigation, the Governor of New York condemned attack.
“I want it out there this man with a knife can’t silence a man with pen,” said Hochul.
Artemis Moshtagian of CNN, Liam Reilly, Samantha Beach, Keith Allen and Brian Stelter contributed to this report.
