Authorities report that several individuals sustained injuries when a man, reportedly shouting “free Palestine,” hurled Molotov cocktails at a gathering in Colorado that was in support of Israeli hostages.
Authorities reported that eight individuals, ranging in age from 52 to 88, sustained injuries during an incident at the Pearl Street Mall, a well-frequented outdoor area in Boulder, located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Denver.
The FBI has classified the incident as a suspected terror attack, revealing that the suspect employed a makeshift flamethrower, Molotov cocktails, and various incendiary devices.
Video evidence from the incident captures the suspect, who was without a shirt, yelling at the crowd while holding what seem to be Molotov cocktails in both hands at the time of his arrest.
The incident occurred during a regularly scheduled demonstration organized by Run for Their Lives, a pro-Israeli group that conducts walks in the outdoor pedestrian mall to express solidarity with Israeli hostages in Gaza.
At approximately 13:26 local time (19:26 GMT), authorities received multiple reports regarding an individual armed with a weapon and incidents of people being set ablaze, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn confirmed during a news conference.
Responding officers discovered several individuals with injuries, among them victims suffering from burns.
Rabbi Israel Wilhelm, the Chabad director at the University of Colorado Boulder, reported that one of the individuals injured in the attack was a Holocaust survivor.
In an interview with CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, Wilhelm, characterized the 88-year-old as a “very loving person.”
This incident marks the second significant act of violence in the United States within a fortnight, seemingly connected to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
On May 22, a man who shouted “free Palestine” opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli embassy employees outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. A networking event organized by a Jewish organization was the site of the incident.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s incident, witnesses reported to authorities that the suspect employed a “makeshift flamethrower and hurled an incendiary device into the crowd,” according to Mark Michalek, the head of the FBI’s Denver office.
Redfearn reported that among those devices were Molotov cocktails, which he claimed were thrown at the crowd.
Mr. Michalek has identified the individual suspected of involvement as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, aged 45.
According to statements from government officials to CBS, an Egyptian national has been identified. According to multiple sources, Mr. Soliman entered California in 2022 on a non-immigrant visa, which subsequently expired in February 2023. He resided in Colorado Springs.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated that Mr. Soliman received a work permit after his visa expired during President Joe Biden’s prior administration. The BBC has not verified this information.
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Video footage from the incident depicted a scene of chaos: smoke billowed into the air, individuals fled in various directions, patches of grass were ablaze, and several people lay injured on the ground.
Images and videos circulating online depict a man, who is believed to be the suspect, shirtless and holding bottles containing liquid, with a piece of red cloth visible inside. The individual is seen shouting at the crowd, seemingly moving towards them as several people attempt to escape.
Amidst the chaos, a woman lies on the ground, seemingly injured, while a man shouts in distress. A crowd gathers around her as a man douses her with water.
Video captures law enforcement swiftly responding to the location and apprehending the individual believed to be involved. Authorities report that he was transported to the hospital with injuries.
Mr. Michalek stated, “This is evidently a targeted act of violence, and the FBI is treating it as an act of terrorism.” “Regrettably, incidents of this nature are increasingly frequent throughout the nation.”
Phil Weiser, the Attorney General of Colorado, stated that based on the information available, the attack “appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Weiser emphasized that while opinions on global issues and the Israeli-Hamas conflict may vary, resorting to violence is not a viable solution for resolving disputes. “In Colorado, there is no room for hate.”
Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, expressed his shock regarding the incident, labeling the attack as “pure antisemitism.”
He expressed his disbelief regarding the horrific antisemitic terror attack aimed at Jews in Boulder, Colorado, in a post on X. “This represents a clear instance of antisemitism, driven by the blood libels propagated in the media.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, expressed his sorrow over the attack, labeling it as “terrorism” and urging for “concrete action” in response.
The ambassador stated in a post on X that Jewish protesters faced brutal attacks.
“Terrorism targeting Jews extends beyond the Gaza border and is now igniting unrest on the streets of America,” he stated.
