Author Salman Rushdie attacked at western New York event
and a suspect is in custody, police say
(CNN)Salman Rushdie -- a celebrated author and winner of the world's top literary prizes whose writings generated death threats -- was attacked and apparently stabbed in the neck on stage Friday before giving a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, State Police said.
The suspect was taken into custody by a state trooper at the event, police said. Rushdie was airlifted to a local hospital, police said. His condition is unknown. An interviewer also suffered a minor head injury, police said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters Friday that Rushdie is "alive" and "getting the care he needs." She said a state trooper "stood up and saved his life and protected him as well as the moderator who was attacked as well.
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Rushdie was being introduced at about 10:45 a.m. when the assault happened, according to a witness, who said he heard shouting from the audience. He said a man in a black shirt appeared to be "punching" the author. The witness, who was 75 feet from the stage, did not hear the attacker say anything or see a weapon. Some people in the audience ran to render aid to Rushdie while others went after the attacker, the witness said.
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