Story highlights Stabbings at Detroit-area bus stop are being investigated as possible hate crimes

Terrence Lavaron Thomas, 39, faces assault with intent to murder and other charges

(CNN) The stabbings of two people at a Detroit-area bus stop began with what police said was a simple question: Are you Muslim?

Terrence Lavaron Thomas, 39, was arraigned Tuesday on assault with intent to murder, drug possession and weapons charges in the Saturday night bus shelter stabbings in Southfield, Michigan.

One of the victims, a male in his 50s, was stabbed five times in the face and neck and three times in the upper back, Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins said. The other victim, also a man in his 50s, was stabbed in the hand when he tried to intervene in the assault.

The two men, whose injuries were not life threatening, were treated for their injuries and released, police said. The three men did not know one another.

Hawkins said Thomas asked a group of people waiting for a bus whether they were Muslim.

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