A 45-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, after allegedly launching what authorities are calling an “act of terrorism” on a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder’s popular pedestrian mall on Sunday afternoon.
Using what police describe as a “makeshift flamethrower,” the suspect—identified by the FBI as Mohamed Sabry Soliman—reportedly attacked a crowd participating in a “Run for Their Lives” awareness walk calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Witnesses and authorities say Soliman was heard shouting “Free Palestine” during the assault.
Eight people, aged 52 to 88, were hospitalised with burn injuries, one of them in critical condition. The attack occurred at around 1:30 p.m. near the intersection of 13th Street and Pearl Street. Emergency responders found multiple victims suffering from burns at the scene. Four were taken to Boulder Community Hospital, while two others were airlifted to a specialist burn unit in Aurora.
Soliman was taken into custody without incident and examined in hospital before being transferred to Boulder County Jail, where he is being held on a $10 million bond. He faces at least eight felony charges, including crimes against at-risk adults and elderly persons.
As per reports, Soliman, an Egyptian national, overstayed his non-immigrant visa after entering the U.S. via Los Angeles in August 2022, during the Biden administration. Though authorised to stay until February 2, 2023, he remained in the country and filed an immigration claim in September 2022. He was granted work authorisation in March 2023, which remained valid until March 2024, according to Homeland Security and ICE sources.
The FBI has confirmed it is investigating the incident as a “targeted terror attack,” citing “ideologically motivated violence” based on evidence and witness accounts. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Director Kash Patel both underlined the gravity of the assault, linking it to an uptick in antisemitic attacks across the country.
Leo Terrell, head of the Justice Department’s antisemitism task force, condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack” against Jews and their supporters. “This was not an isolated incident,” he said, pointing to a broader trend of escalating violence. “This antisemitic terrorist attack is part of a horrific and growing wave of hatred.”
The attack occurred on the eve of Shavuot, a significant Jewish holiday, further heightening concern within the community. Miri Kornfeld, spokesperson for Run for Their Lives, said all upcoming events have been cancelled, describing the attack as “devastating” and quoting one participant who recalled the scene as “the floor burning beneath them.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack on X, calling it a “heinous act of terror,” while the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation.
The Boulder incident follows several high-profile antisemitic attacks in recent months, including the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a Molotov cocktail attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence during Passover.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn called the attack a “tragedy” and “unacceptable,” though he initially refrained from characterising it as terrorism.
Investigations are ongoing.
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