Sikh trucker stabbed 17 times in Wyoming days after DHS 'Mr Singh' post sparks outrage

A Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times at a rest area in Wyoming while travelling to Pennsylvania, leaving him seriously injured and hospitalised, according to US-based news organisation NPR.

The attack took place early Sunday at a rest stop in southern Wyoming. The driver, who identified himself only by his last name because of safety concerns, said he had stopped to use the restroom when he noticed a man following him inside.

Driver attacked inside restroom

Singh said the man suddenly attacked him, initially beating him before taking out a knife and stabbing him repeatedly. He suffered injuries to several parts of his body, including his neck, chest and ribs.

After the attacker left, Singh managed to get outside but collapsed on the pavement after losing a significant amount of blood.

"I don't know why this happened," he said. "I don't know why they attack[ed] me," he told NPR.

A Hispanic family at the rest area found Singh badly injured and stepped in to help. They tended to his wounds and sought emergency assistance before first responders arrived.

"They gave me the second life," he said.

Singh remained in hospital on Wednesday night, recovering from multiple lacerations and injuries to his chest and ribs, NPR reported.

Attack follows controversy over DHS post

The stabbing comes days after criticism over a now-deleted social media post by the US Department of Homeland Security featuring an Indian truck driver and using the surname Singh.

The post carried the caption, "Get off our roads. You don't know how to drive Mr Singh." Members of the South Asian community criticised the post and accused the department of stereotyping.

The charging documents in Singh’s case do not establish a motive for the stabbing or indicate whether the incident was connected to the DHS post.

Suspect charged with attempted murder

Authorities have arrested 45-year-old Andrew Kris Bzdak in connection with the attack. According to charging documents obtained by NPR, he has been charged with attempted first-degree murder.

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office and local prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests for further information.

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi condemned the attack and said he was "horrified" by the violence.

"I'm horrified by the brutal attack on a Sikh truck driver who was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop. This comes amid rising hatred targeting Sikh and South Asian Americans, with even the Trump Department of Homeland Security recently posting a racist caricature of a Sikh truck driver telling him to "get off our roads" and "self-deport or find out."

Rep. Mike Thompson also condemned the incident, saying, "This is horrible. This incident must be thoroughly investigated and the person responsible must be brought to justice. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Singh and his family during these difficult times."