A peaceful walk in downtown Boulder, Colorado, turned into a horrifying scene Sunday when a man set multiple people on fire during a pro-Israel event. The FBI is calling it a “targeted terror attack.”
The attack happened around 1:30 p.m. during a weekly gathering known as Run for Their Lives, where people walk in support of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. The event was taking place at the Pearl Street Mall, a busy pedestrian area lined with shops and restaurants.
“There was a lot of people out — a very beautiful day,” said Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn. “This was a peaceful demonstration in support of Israel.”
That peace was shattered when a man allegedly stormed the area yelling “Free Palestine” and used what witnesses described as a makeshift flamethrower. Authorities said he also threw an incendiary device into the crowd.
The attacker left six people burned and wounded, all between the ages of 67 and 88, according to Mark Michalek, the FBI’s special agent in charge of the Denver field office.
“Some injuries were very serious. Others more minor,” Redfearn said. Four victims were taken to Boulder Community Hospital. Two were airlifted to hospitals in Denver.
Authorities have not confirmed a specific motive, but Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the attack was “a hate crime given the group that was targeted.” He added: “Hate has no place in Colorado.”
The FBI said they’re treating the attack as ideologically motivated violence. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino called it ‘an act of terror.’
Authorities confirmed the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is in custody.
The Anti-Defamation League reviewed video of the attack and said the suspect shouted “How many children have you killed?” and “We need to end Zionists.” He also pointed at victims, saying, “They are killers.”
The Boulder Jewish Community Center called the incident “heartbreaking” in a statement and said safety remains their “highest priority.” The center confirmed that the incendiary device was thrown directly at walkers during the event.
The event, Run for Their Lives, has been held weekly since late 2023. Participants wear matching shirts and carry flags to raise awareness about the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people.
Sunday’s fire attack happened on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, and follows another violent act: just over a week ago, two Israeli embassy employees were shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
Hours before the Boulder attack, someone vandalized up to 20 buildings on the University of Denver campus with anti-Israel graffiti. It’s unclear if that’s connected.
“This is what ‘globalize the Intifada’ means,” said Adam Rovner, director of the Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Denver. “It means attacks on innocent people.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis called the Boulder attack “heinous” and said, “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.”
As tensions continue to rise across the country, Jewish communities are on high alert. But local leaders say they won’t stop standing up for the hostages.
“We will continue to walk until all hostages are released,” said the group Jewishcolorado, which has helped organize the Boulder walks since Thanksgiving.
