Eight individuals were injured, one critically, after a man wielding a makeshift flamethrower and shouting “Free Palestine” attacked a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder’s popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall on Sunday. The FBI is investigating the incident as a targeted act of terrorism.
The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was apprehended and is being held on a $10,000,000 bond at the Boulder County Jail, facing a range of felony charges including the use of an incendiary device.
Authorities stated he is an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa after entering the U.S. during the Biden administration.
WATCH:
The attack occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on Sunday as participants of a “Run for Their Lives” walk, aimed at raising awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza, gathered. According to witnesses and law enforcement officials, Soliman hurled an incendiary device into the crowd, causing burns to eight people ranging in age from 52 to 88. One victim remains in critical condition, while others sustained more minor injuries.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek confirmed that Soliman was heard yelling “Free Palestine” during the assault. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino stated that early information, evidence, and witness accounts suggest the attack was “ideologically motivated violence.”
RELATED: “Act Of Terror” At Colorado Outdoor Mall Leaves Several Injured, Some Set On Fire
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from national and international figures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement saying he and the nation of Israel were praying for the full recovery of the wounded, emphasizing that the attack was “aimed against peaceful people who wished to express their solidarity with the hostages held by Hamas, simply because they were Jews.”
Leo Terrell, head of the antisemitism task force at the Justice Department, described the incident as an “antisemitic terrorist attack” and part of an “escalating wave of violence targeting Jews and their supporters.”
He also noted the attack’s timing, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, made it “all the more chilling and cruel.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis described the incident as a “heinous act of terror,” stating that “hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable.” President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the “targeted terror attack.”
This attack follows a pattern of heightened violence, including recent high-profile incidents against the Jewish community. Last month, two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot in Washington, D.C., an incident also labeled an “act of terror.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
