CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. (AP) — Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked and apparently stabbed in the neck Friday by a man who rushed the stage as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.
An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man confront Rushdie on stage at the Chautauqua Institution and punch or stab him 10 to 15 times as he was being introduced.
The 75-year-old author was pushed or fell to the floor, and the man was arrested.State police said Rushdie was apparently stabbed in the neck and was flown to a hospital. His condition wasn’t immediately known.
The moderator at the event was also attacked and suffered a minor head injury, police said.Rabbi Charles Savenor was among the roughly 2,500 people in the audience. Amid gasps, spectators were ushered out of the outdoor amphitheater.
