In Boulder, Colorado, an incident with a makeshift flamethrower occurred as a man shouted “Free Palestine” and threw an incendiary device towards a group of individuals highlighting the plight of Israeli hostages in Gaza. This incident resulted in eight injuries, including burn victims.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was detained and lodged in Boulder County jail, north of Denver, awaiting charges related to the incident. The FBI has classified the event as a potential terrorist act. As of now, it’s unclear when Soliman will appear in court.
This violent act at the well-known Pearl Street pedestrian mall, covering four blocks in central Boulder, occurred amid the broader context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. It coincided with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot and shortly after a separate attack in Washington, D.C., where an individual, also yelling “Free Palestine,” was charged with the murder of two Israeli embassy personnel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by expressing prayers for the swift recovery of the victims in what he described as a “vicious terror attack.” He emphasized that the attack targeted Jews who gathered to support hostages held by Hamas.
In response to escalating violence, the New York Police Department increased its presence at religious sites across the city during the Shavuot festivities. The FBI’s Denver office special agent, Mark Michalek, highlighted the concerning rise of such incidents nationwide, underlining the persistent threat to community safety.
Victims of the attack ranged in age from 52 to 88, sustaining injuries from minor to severe. The target was a volunteer initiative, Run For Their Lives, which aimed to raise awareness about hostages in Gaza. Videos captured at the scene depicted a person yelling about the presence of someone wielding Molotov cocktails, as a police officer approached a shirtless individual holding containers.
Alex Osante from San Diego witnessed the event while dining nearby, describing the sound of breaking glass and an explosion, followed by chaos. Footage he captured showed people pouring water over a woman who caught fire, with an Israeli visitor asking for water to assist further.
Following his initial attack, the suspect retreated into shrubbery, reappeared to throw another explosive device, and inadvertently ignited himself. He removed his shirt and what seemed to be a bulletproof vest as law enforcement arrived. The authorities arrested him without resistance.
Lynn Segal, one of the participants, recounted a “rope of fire” and flares disrupting their peaceful assembly. She voiced unease about potentially being associated with the suspect due to her pro-Palestinian attire, even as she sought to help the injured.
Law enforcement believes Soliman acted independently, and investigations into his motives continue. Though no formal charges had been filed immediately, officials assured accountability measures would follow. Soliman received medical treatment for unspecified injuries.
The FBI promptly labeled the attack as terrorism, with the Justice Department condemning it as an unnecessary act of violence. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino commented on the need for clear communication about ideologically motivated acts when warranted by evidence.
The broader conflict backdrop relates to the Hamas-led infiltration into southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and abductions. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in substantial casualties and widespread destruction, which has displaced large population segments and increased dependency on international humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the community in Boulder recalls a previous violent incident—a 2019 shooting in a nearby grocery store, resulting in 10 fatalities, with the perpetrator later sentenced to life imprisonment. In the aftermath of the recent attack, police evacuated several blocks around the pedestrian mall for public safety. The tense atmosphere saw heightened law enforcement activity, with public advisories to avoid the area until further notice.