In a disturbing episode amid escalating tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict, a man armed with a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails attacked a peaceful gathering in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, injuring six elderly individuals.
The FBI has termed the incident a “targeted” act of terrorism. The Colorado Attorney General’s office said it appeared to be a hate crime, given the nature of the gathering—an event organised to honour Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
The assailant, identified by authorities as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, launched the assault near Pearl Street during the ‘Run for Their Lives’ walk. Video footage widely circulated on social media shows Soliman—bare-chested and wearing sunglasses—shouting, “How many children have you killed?” while brandishing a flamethrower and a Molotov cocktail.
One protester confronted him, saying, “You can't do that,” to which Soliman chillingly replied, “Yes, you can.”
According to Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn, the suspect was taken into custody shortly after police received reports of a man “setting people on fire.” All six victims, aged between 67 and 88, sustained burn injuries. One is reported to be in a serious condition.
Also read: France and Israel at odds over Gaza, Macron urges Europe to act
Local residents can be seen in the video rushing to assist victims, dousing them with water as they writhed in pain on the pavement.
“We are fairly confident that there are no additional suspects at large,” Chief Redfearn added.
Multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall were cordoned off and evacuated by law enforcement. Officers, accompanied by a police dog, searched the vicinity for further threats and urged the public to stay away.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the act as a “targeted” terror attack. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser echoed that sentiment, stating it appeared to be “a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”
In a statement, Boulder’s Jewish community said, “We are saddened and heartbroken to learn that an incendiary device was thrown at walkers at the Run for Their Lives walk on Pearl Street as they were raising awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the violence, stating: “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.” He assured that state authorities are closely monitoring developments.
The incident comes amid heightened political and social unrest in the United States over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Reports of antisemitic hate crimes have risen sharply, and pro-Palestinian protests have drawn criticism from conservative quarters, including President Donald Trump.
Trump’s administration has responded by arresting protestors without charge and freezing funding to universities where such demonstrations have occurred.
Only days earlier, a man in Washington, D.C., shot and killed two employees of the Israeli embassy as they were departing a gathering organised by the American Jewish Committee.
Follow us
