Famed author Salman Rushdie, who has endured death threats from extremists for decades, was attacked on Friday before a scheduled lecture in western New York.
The Associated Press said one of their reporters witnessed a man begin punching or stabbing Rushdie, best known for “The Satanic Verses,” which has been banned in Iran and considered by some Muslims to be blasphemous, as he was being introduced.
A spokesperson for the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to NBC News that deputies rushed to the scene of a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution but she could not name the victim.
The facility is about 70 miles south of Buffalo.
Rushdie’s condition was not immediately known.
NBC News has reached out to his representatives for comment.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Daniel Arkin and Abigail Russ contributed.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Nbcnews.com
