- Thursday, June 05, 2025
Six people, all elderly, were injured in Boulder, Colorado, when a suspect shouting pro-Palestinian slogans attacked a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration with incendiary devices. Authorities are treating the incident as an act of terrorism.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Six people were injured — several suffering burn wounds — in what authorities have described as a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday (1). The attack took place during a peaceful demonstration in support of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Federal and local law enforcement agencies are now investigating the incident as an act of ideologically motivated terrorism.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman of Colorado Springs, was taken into custody at the scene. According to Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn, the attack occurred around 1:26 p.m. near the intersection of 13th and Pearl streets, a popular pedestrian mall area. Witnesses say Soliman, shirtless and yelling “Free Palestine,” approached the demonstration and launched Molotov cocktails at the crowd before deploying a makeshift flamethrower.
Six victims, aged between 67 and 88, sustained injuries. Four were hospitalized at Boulder Community Hospital, while two were airlifted to a specialized burn unit in Aurora. Police confirmed all victims were attending a non-violent weekly walk organized by the local “Run for Their Lives” group, which seeks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The FBI Denver field office is assisting in the investigation, with agents processing the crime scene and interviewing eyewitnesses. FBI Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek called it “a targeted act of violence,” confirming that the FBI is treating the attack as an act of terrorism. A search for additional explosive devices was ongoing, and authorities set up an evacuation perimeter around the area.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the National Counterterrorism Center are also involved, according to a social media post. President Donald Trump has been briefed, though the White House has not issued a formal statement yet.
At an earlier press briefing, Chief Redfearn had declined to label the incident terrorism, saying it was too early to speculate on motives. However, by Sunday evening, the narrative had shifted. Both Redfearn and the FBI acknowledged the ideological targeting of the Jewish community.
State officials echoed these sentiments. Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the “heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community,” promising solidarity and justice. State Attorney General Phil Weiser explicitly labeled it a “hate crime,” emphasizing that political disagreements should never justify violence.
The Boulder Jewish community and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed grief and anger, particularly as the attack occurred on the eve of Shavuot, a major Jewish holiday. The ADL described the weekly Run for Their Lives gatherings as a “peaceful and humanitarian initiative” and called the attack a violation of basic human decency.
This incident follows a string of ideologically motivated attacks across the U.S. In late May, two Israeli embassy staffers were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in a similarly motivated assault. In April, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence was firebombed by a suspect claiming support for Gaza.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to fuel tensions globally, U.S. authorities are grappling with the increasing frequency of domestic incidents tied to international unrest. Law enforcement agencies are working to secure similar protests and prevent retaliatory violence.
