A man wielding weapons including a makeshift flame thrower was arrested after a shocking attack that wounded eight people in downtown Boulder on Sunday afternoon.
The FBI said it was investigating a “targeted terror attack” in Colorado after Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, used a makeshift flamethrower and threw an incendiary device at a group of demonstrators calling for the release of hostages in Gaza.
Boulder Police said eight people aged 52 to 88 were wounded in the incident. All victims were taken to hospitals in Boulder and the Denver metro area. At least one was in critical condition, while others suffered various injuries. The suspect was also hurt and taken to a hospital for examination.
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“This attack happened at a regularly scheduled weekly peaceful event,” FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek said in a Sunday evening news conference. “The suspect was heard to yell, ‘Free Palestine’ during the attack.”
Boulder Police chief Stephen Redfearn said the attack occurred on Pearl Street–a pedestrian mall–where several callers reported an armed man around 1:26 p.m.
“The initial callers indicated that there was a man with a weapon and that people were being set on fire,” he said. “This was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in downtown Boulder on Pearl Street and this act is unacceptable.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents and local law enforcement were at the scene “fully investigating a targeted terror attack.”
Redfearn said the pro-Israel demonstration is held frequently on Pearl Street Mall.
“As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted as an act of terrorism,” Michalek said.
Boulder’s Jewish Community said in a statement that the demonstrators were participating in the Run for Their Lives Walk, a movement raising awareness and calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas.
“Our hearts go out to those who witnessed this horrible attack, and prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” the Jewish group said. “When events like this enter our own community, we are shaken. Our hope is that we come together for one another.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was monitoring the situation.
“My thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror,” he wrote on X. “Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.”
State Secretary Marco Rubio offered up prayers for the victims, adding that “terror has no place in our great country.”
The Colorado attack followed the fatal shooting of a couple working for the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. last month.
“Sadly, attacks like this are becoming too common across the country,” Michalek said.
