Salman Rushdie on Ventilator Hours After Being Stabbed in New York

Prominent Iranian Writer Salman Rushdie, 75, is on ventilation. He might lose an eye and his liver is damaged, the author’s agent Andrew Wylie, said in an emailed update Friday evening.

The celebrated author, who has long faced death threats, was stabbed by a 24-year old New Jersey man. Police said the motive was unclear.

Salman Rushdie spent years in hiding after the leadership of Iran called for his death following the publication of his novel “The Satanic Verses.” But in recent years, declaring “Oh, I have to live my life,” he re-entered society, regularly appearing in public around New York City without evident security.