( 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 . When two people responded that they were not , Hawkins said , Thomas allegedly `` became upset by that answer , saying he was Muslim and it was not acceptable that they were not . '' The Federal Bureau of Investigation was involved in the investigation of possible hate crimes , Hawkins said . At court Tuesday , Bond for Thomas was set at $ 1 million . His next court appearance is on March 4 . It was unclear whether Thomas has an attorney .
Stabbings at Detroit-area bus stop are being investigated as possible hate crimes . The incident occurred on the city's east side near a busy transit hub and is believed to be racially motivated, police said in a statement.