A suspect is in custody after what the FBI is calling a “targeted act of violence” during a peaceful march in support of Israeli hostages at the outdoor Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado.
Witnesses said the suspect used a “makeshift flamethrower” and threw Molotov cocktails that burned multiple victims, police and the FBI said. Boulder police initially said eight people were injured; they raised the total to 12 after officials said four more people with less serious injuries came forward.
The suspect was identified as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman. Soliman was allegedly heard yelling “Free Palestine” during the attack, according to Michalek, who said that it was “clear this is a targeted act of violence” and it is being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Soliman has been charged with multiple felony counts, including attempted murder, and a federal hate crimes charge.
Soliman is an Egyptian national. He arrived in California in 2022 on a non-immigrant visa, the Department of Homeland Security said. That original visa expired in February 2023, and he had applied for asylum. Soliman had recently been living in Colorado Springs.
The walk to remember the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza was taking place in Boulder’s downtown at the time of the attack. Two sources said witnesses told investigators the suspect also yelled “End Zionist!” during the attack.
Among those injured were four women and four men ranging in age from 52 to 88, police said. One was seriously injured, with Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn saying it would be “safe to say” that person was in critical condition.
The people who were injured were outside the historic Boulder County Courthouse at 13th Street and Pearl Street. A burn scar could be seen in the space in front of the building. Witnesses said they saw people writhing on the ground and people running with water to try to help immediately afterward.
