Sikh truck driver stabbed 17 times in Wyoming days after DHS ‘Mr Singh’ post; Indian-origin US lawmaker says ‘hate needs to stop’

A 28-year-old Sikh truck driver of Indian origin was stabbed 17 times at a rest area in Wyoming on September 13, days after a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) social media post featuring an AI-generated Sikh man drew criticism.

Gurvinder Singh, a truck driver from Sacramento, was travelling towards Pennsylvania when he stopped at the Bitter Creek Rest Area along Interstate 80 in Wyoming, according to a report by The Times of India.

Singh said another man followed him into a restroom and suddenly attacked him with a knife. He suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck, chest, arms and ribs.

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Despite his injuries, Singh managed to escape the restroom and call for help. A family at the rest area heard him crying for help and came to his assistance. The family also provided police with information about the suspect's vehicle.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol later stopped the vehicle near Rawlins and arrested 45-year-old Andrew Kris Bzdak. He has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

Authorities have not established a motive for the attack.

DHS ‘Mr Singh’ post

The stabbing came days after a controversial DHS social media post featuring an AI-generated image of a brown-skinned, bearded Sikh man identified as “Mr Singh”.

The post was part of the Trump administration's messaging on illegal immigration and immigrant truck drivers. It said: “America for Americans. Get off our roads; you don't know how to drive, Mr Singh.” It also urged immigrants to “self-deport”.

The post drew criticism from Sikh and Indian-American groups and was later removed by DHS.

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The American Sikh Council has called for a full and transparent investigation into the Wyoming stabbing and urged authorities to examine whether race, religion or identity played a role.

The organisation has not said that the DHS post caused the stabbing. There is currently no evidence establishing a connection between the two incidents.

Raja Krishnamoorthi condemns attack

Indian-origin US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said he was “horrified” by the stabbing and called for an end to hate targeting Sikh and South Asian Americans.

“Those spreading this hate, including officials in our own federal government, need to stop. Those who turn it into violence must be held accountable,” Krishnamoorthi said in a post on X.

Singh, who has been driving commercial trucks for around three years, has also raised concerns about the safety of Punjabi Sikh truck drivers travelling across the US.