A peaceful gathering at a pedestrian mall in downtown Boulder turned into a scene of chaos and horror on Sunday when a man attacked participants at a vigil calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Six people, aged 67 to 88, were injured—some seriously burned—after the suspect allegedly deployed a makeshift flamethrower and an incendiary device at the event, authorities said.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn identified the suspect as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, who was taken into custody at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing him shout “Free Palestine” as he launched the attack. The FBI, which has taken the lead in the investigation, described the incident as a “targeted terror attack,” highlighting the growing threat of ideologically motivated violence in the United States.
What Happened?
Shortly after 1:26 p.m. local time, police received multiple emergency calls reporting a man with a weapon on Pearl Street near the Boulder County Courthouse. Officers arriving at the bustling pedestrian mall found victims suffering from burns and other injuries.
Four of the injured were transported to Boulder Community Hospital, while two others were airlifted to a Denver-area facility due to the severity of their injuries. At least one victim was described as being in “very serious” condition.
Authorities said the attack occurred during Run for Their Lives, a weekly event organized by local Jewish community members to raise awareness for the hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The group has gathered regularly on Pearl Street since last Thanksgiving, walking or jogging in solidarity with the hostages’ plight.
The Suspect and Motive
Special Agent Mark Michalek, head of the FBI’s Denver field office, said initial evidence suggested the attack was ideologically motivated. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the suspect pacing shirtless with bottles containing a flammable liquid, yelling at bystanders and accusing them of being “killers.” According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), he could be heard shouting: “How many children have you killed?” and “We need to end Zionists.”
Law enforcement sources emphasized that although the attack coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, investigations are ongoing to determine if the timing was intentional.
Broader Context and Rising Tensions
Sunday’s attack came amid heightened tensions nationwide following recent incidents targeting Jewish communities. Less than two weeks ago, two Israeli embassy employees were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., by a suspect who also shouted “Free Palestine.” Separately, 18 to 20 buildings at the University of Denver were vandalized with anti-Israel graffiti earlier this weekend, underscoring a surge in antisemitic incidents across the country since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called Sunday’s incident a “hate crime,” stating: “Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views.” Governor Jared Polis also condemned the attack as a “heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community,” vowing to prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law.
Voices from the Scene
Eyewitness Aaron Brooks, who often participates in the weekly walk, described the chaos and horror: “I saw smoke coming from the ground, blood on the ground, smoke coming from a person,” Brooks told local reporters. “My friends were burning and hurt, and I got emotional.”
The Boulder Jewish Community Center expressed shock and heartbreak in a statement, saying its highest priority remains the safety of the Jewish community in Boulder. “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,” the center wrote.
Law Enforcement Response
Authorities closed several blocks in downtown Boulder as bomb squads, hazmat teams, and canine units searched the area for additional threats. The FBI said it is processing both the crime scene and the suspect’s vehicle and interviewing key witnesses.
Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino emphasized that the agency is treating the attack as an act of terrorism. “This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence,” Bongino stated.
Why It Matters
The attack highlights the growing risks of extremist violence targeting peaceful demonstrations and community gatherings in the United States. As tensions in the Middle East spill over into domestic communities, law enforcement agencies are grappling with how to prevent lone-wolf acts of terror inspired by global conflicts.
Civil rights groups have documented a sharp rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages taken into Gaza. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
What’s Next?
The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is in custody and expected to face terrorism-related and hate crime charges. Authorities have not ruled out additional charges pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, community leaders and civil rights advocates are calling for renewed efforts to counter hate-based violence. “We will continue to walk until all hostages are released,” stated a spokesperson for Run for Their Lives. “No amount of violence will silence our call for peace and justice.”
Closing Summary
Sunday’s attack on a peaceful demonstration in Boulder serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing communities that choose to speak out amid rising global tensions. As investigations continue, the city—and the nation—await answers and accountability in the wake of a targeted act of terror.
