Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Sikh Truck Driver Stabbed 17 Times After DHS Post
A Sikh truck driver was attacked at a highway rest stop in Wyoming.
He was stabbed 17 times but escaped the restroom and called for help.
A nearby family helped him and gave police information about the suspect’s truck.
Police later arrested Andrew Kris Bzdak, who was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Investigators have not announced why the attack happened.
A few days earlier, the Department of Homeland Security had posted a cartoon-like message about someone called “Mr.
Singh.”
Sikh groups and some lawmakers said the post could encourage unfair treatment of Sikh and South Asian people.
DHS said the post was about immigration enforcement and denied a known connection to the stabbing.
The attack has increased safety concerns among Sikh truck drivers.
A 28-year-old Punjabi Sikh truck driver from Sacramento was stabbed 17 times at Wyoming’s Bitter Creek Rest Area on September 13, 2026.
The driver, identified in one report as Gurvinder Singh and elsewhere as Singh, said the attack was unprovoked and occurred inside a restroom.
Andrew Kris Bzdak of San Gabriel, California, was arrested near Rawlins and charged with attempted first-degree murder; the motive remains unknown.
The attack followed a September 9 Department of Homeland Security post depicting a Sikh-associated “Mr. Singh” figure, which was later removed after widespread criticism.
Sikh organizations and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi called for scrutiny of possible bias, while DHS denied any known connection to the stabbing.
- Who
- A 28-year-old Punjabi Sikh truck driver identified in reports as Gurvinder Singh or Singh was attacked; Andrew Kris Bzdak was arrested. Sikh organizations and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi responded.
- What
- The driver was stabbed 17 times inside a rest-area restroom, and Bzdak was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
- When
- The stabbing occurred early on September 13, 2026, about four days after the DHS post on September 9, 2026.
- Where
- The attack occurred at the eastbound Bitter Creek Rest Area on Interstate 80 in Wyoming.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Sikh organizations have asked investigators to examine possible racial or religious bias.
Critics and Sikh advocates
DHS and law-enforcement position
Meaning of the DHS post
Critics and Sikh advocates
Sikh, Hindu and Indian-American organizations, along with Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, described the graphic as racist, dehumanizing and likely to reinforce stereotypes about Sikh and South Asian people.
DHS and law-enforcement position
DHS said the campaign concerned immigration enforcement and commercial drivers, and that “Mr. Singh” referred specifically to Harjinder Singh, who was charged in a fatal Florida crash.
Connection to the stabbing
Critics and Sikh advocates
Advocates said the timing created legitimate concern about the environment facing Sikh drivers and urged investigators to examine whether racial or religious bias played a role.
DHS and law-enforcement position
DHS denied a known connection to the attack, while authorities have said the stabbing’s motive remains unknown and have not confirmed it was a hate-motivated crime.
Accountability
Critics and Sikh advocates
Krishnamoorthi and community groups called on officials to stop anti-Sikh and anti-South Asian rhetoric and hold accountable anyone who turns hate into violence.
DHS and law-enforcement position
Bzdak faces an attempted first-degree murder prosecution, but the available reports do not establish that the alleged crime was motivated by racial or religious hatred.
- Victim
- A 28-year-old Punjabi Sikh truck driver from Sacramento, California, identified in reports as Gurvinder Singh or Singh.
- Injuries
- Investigators documented 17 lacerations, including wounds to the neck, chest, arms and ribs.
- Suspect
- Andrew Kris Bzdak, 44 or 45, of San Gabriel, California, was arrested near Rawlins, Wyoming.
- Charge
- Bzdak was charged with attempted first-degree murder; prosecutors allege premeditation and intent to kill.
- DHS post
- A September 9 AI-generated, Transformers-style graphic showed a Sikh-associated “Mr. Singh” figure and included messages telling him to get off the roads and self-deport.
- Official response
- DHS said attempts to link its post to the stabbing were reckless and false, while advocates and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi called for accountability and investigation.
- Rescue and evidence
- A Hispanic family helped the injured driver and photographed identifying information from the fleeing vehicle; dash-camera footage was also reportedly obtained.
Sources
Days after US’s ‘Mr Singh’ racist post, Sikh trucker stabbed 17 times
US Shocker: Sikh Truck Driver Stabbed 17 Times In Wyoming; Days After DHS Transformers-Themed 'Mr. Singh' Post
Sikh trucker stabbed 17 times in Wyoming days after DHS’ ‘Mr Singh’ post; US Congressman condemns ‘hate’