FBI: Makeshift flamethrower attack in Boulder leaves 6 injured as suspect yells 'Free Palestine'
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has charged 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman in connection with a "targeted terror attack" in Boulder, Colorado Saturday afternoon, where multiple peaceful Israeli supporters were set on fire.At about 1:26 p.m. local time, officers with the Boulder Police Department were called to the county courthouse on Pearl Street for reports of a man, who had a weapon, setting people on fire, according to Boulder Police Department (BPD) Chief Steve Redfearn.
The FBI said six people, ages 67 to 88, were injured and taken to the hospital.
Soliman, who was yelling "Free Palestine" during the attack, was arrested at the scene without incident, according to the FBI and BPD.
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino said the attack is being investigated as an act of "ideologically motivated violence," based on early information, evidence and witness accounts.
The attack took place near an event put on by "Run for Their Lives," a grassroot organization that facilitates global run and walk events calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
The ADL Center on Extremism reviewed videos from the scene and said the suspect appeared to say, "How many children you killed," "We have to end Zionists, and "They are killers."
It is unclear how many people were injured, though police confirmed some were life-threatening.
"We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," FBI Director Kash Patel wrote in a statement on X. "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available."
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed the National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground.
Police initially evacuated three surrounding blocks and later expanded the evacuation area.
Redfearn said the area is not safe yet, as they are investigating a "vehicle of interest."
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the attack, which happened on the eve of Shavuot, appears to have been a "hate crime" targeting Run for Their Lives demonstrators.
"From what we know, this attack appears to be a hate crime given the group that was targeted," Weiser wrote in a statement. "People may have differing views about world events and the Israeli-Hamas conflict, but violence is never the answer to settling differences. Hate has no place in Colorado. We all have the right to peaceably assemble and the freedom to speak our views. But these violent acts—which are becoming more frequent, brazen and closer to home—must stop and those who commit these horrific acts must be fully held to account."
"I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror," Polis wrote. "Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a post to X said "terror has no place in our great country."
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said terrorism against Jews "does not stop at the Gaza border – it is already burning the streets of America."
"Today, in Boulder, Colorado, Jewish people marched with a moral and humane demand: to return the hostages," Danon wrote in a statement. "In response, the Jewish protesters were brutally attacked, with an attacker throwing a Molotov cocktails at them. Make no mistake – this is not a political protest, this is terrorism. The time for statements is over. It is time for concrete action to be taken against the instigators wherever they may be."
Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse added he is "praying hard for the victims."
"The scourge of anti-semitism has metastasized across our country," Neguse wrote on X. "We must do more—now—to stop this violence. Tonight, on the eve of Shavuot, and always, we stand with our Jewish community."
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) said on Sunday night it is increasing the number of officers at religious sites for Shavuot.
Run for Their lives meets weekly in neighborhoods across the world to "quietly" address Hamas hostages, according to its website. It was started by a group of Israelis in the Bay Area in California.
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