The FBI is investigating a fire attack that injured eight individuals during a demonstration supporting Israeli hostages in Boulder. The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a makeshift flamethrower, prompting officials to label the incident as a suspected act of terrorism.
Molotov Cocktail Attack in Boulder Leaves Eight Injured Amid Political Tensions
Molotov Cocktail Attack in Boulder Leaves Eight Injured Amid Political Tensions
A suspect shouting "free Palestine" launched a firebombing attack during a pro-Israel event in Boulder, Colorado, injuring eight.
Multiple people were hospitalized following a violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man targeted a pro-Israel demonstration with Molotov cocktails and incendiary devices. The incident occurred at the Pearl Street Mall, roughly 30 miles from Denver, at a weekly event organized by Run for Their Lives, which advocates for Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Witnesses reported that the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, shouted "free Palestine" while throwing the firebombs into the crowd. Police received reports around 1:26 PM local time of a man wielding weapons and starting fires amidst the gathering. Upon arrival, officers discovered multiple victims suffering from burns and other injuries.
Mark Michalek, head of the FBI's Denver office, confirmed that Soliman employed a makeshift flamethrower among other incendiary tools. The suspect is an Egyptian national who had been residing in Colorado Springs after entering the country on a non-immigrant visa that expired in early 2023. In footage captured during the attack, Soliman is seen advancing towards attendees, causing chaos as people attempted to escape the flames.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn affirmed that this incident is being treated as a targeted act of violence, with the FBI framing it as an act of terrorism. Notably, this assault marks the second recent incident linked to rising tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict, echoing a fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser characterized the attack as a hate crime and condemned the violence, stating, “People may have differing views about world events… but violence is never the answer.” Israel's officials have echoed similar sentiments, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar denouncing the incident as "pure antisemitism," while Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon called for global action against rising anti-Jewish violence on American streets.
The violence underscores a troubling trend of hostility linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as officials express concern over the implications for safety and peace in the United States.
