A peaceful gathering in downtown Boulder in Colorado turned into chaos on Sunday when a man shouted “Free Palestine” and threw an incendiary device into a group raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. Law enforcement officials said the suspect used a makeshift flamethrower, injuring six people, some with serious burns.
The attacker, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is expected to face charges. The FBI is investigating the incident as a "terrorist act."
The attack took place on Pearl Street Mall, a popular four-block pedestrian area in Boulder, and comes amid rising global tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
Just a week ago, a man reportedly yelling the same slogan fatally shot two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington.
“Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,” said Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office. “This is an example of how perpetrators of violence continue to threaten communities across the nation,” he said.
According to officials, the victims range from 67 to 88 years old and suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious. The group had just wrapped up a weekly demonstration organised by 'Run For Their Lives', which calls for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
A witness captured part of the chaos on video, shouting: “He’s right there. He’s throwing Molotov cocktails,” as police approached a shirtless man holding containers in both hands.
Lynn Segal, 72, who was among the roughly 20 participants, described seeing a “rope of fire” shoot in front of her, followed by “two big flares.”
“There were people who were burning, I wanted to help,” Segal said. “But I didn’t want to be associated with the perpetrator.”
She shared that while she supports Palestine and was wearing a pro-Palestine shirt, she feared she might be mistaken as being connected to the attacker.
Authorities confirmed Soliman acted alone and are not seeking any other suspects. He was also injured in the incident and taken to a hospital, though details of his condition have not been released. While no formal charges have yet been announced, officials assured the public that Soliman will be held accountable.
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino stated: “This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it.”
The justice department condemned the attack as a "needless act of violence", referencing a recent wave of attacks targeting Jewish Americans.
This latest violence is part of the growing unrest since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed about 1200 people in southern Israel and took around 250 hostages.
Today, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with about a third believed to be alive.
Israel’s military response has killed over 54,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry, and displaced about 90% of the population, leaving most reliant on international aid.
Sunday's incident also brought back memories of a mass shooting in Boulder four years ago, when a gunman killed four people at a local grocery store. He was later sentenced to life in prison.
After the attack, police evacuated multiple blocks of Pearl Street. Armed officers and K9 units swept the area, urging the public to stay away as they searched for additional threats.