Eight Injured in Colorado Assault Involving Makeshift Flamethrower Amid Hostage Awareness Event

BOULDER, Colo. -- An incident occurred in downtown Boulder where a man armed with a makeshift flamethrower injured eight individuals during a gathering aimed at raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza. The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, reportedly shouted 'Free Palestine' while launching an incendiary device into the crowd, leading to several injuries, some of which were burn-related.

Soliman has been taken into custody and is currently held at the Boulder County jail, where he is expected to face charges as law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, classify the incident as a terrorist act. The exact timing of his court appearance remains unclear.

The assault unfolded on the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a popular destination in Boulder, amid heightened tensions stemming from ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This incident coincided with the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Just days prior, a separate violent attack linked to similar sentiments resulted in the deaths of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, expressing prayers for the recovery of those injured. He deemed the assault a 'vicious terror attack' aimed at peaceful demonstrators expressing solidarity with hostages held by Hamas.

Officials from the FBI's Denver field office noted a concerning trend of increasing violence against communities, emphasizing that the incident reflects a broader national issue. The eight victims, aged between 52 and 88, sustained a range of injuries from serious to minor. Reports indicate that the attack occurred as participants from a local organization, Run For Their Lives, concluded their weekly demonstration.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as bystanders attempted to assist the injured, including a woman who had caught fire during the assault. Video footage captured the moment when the suspect, after initially throwing an incendiary device, attempted to escape but inadvertently set himself on fire. He was later apprehended by law enforcement without resistance.

In the aftermath, police evacuated multiple blocks surrounding the area, and authorities urged the public to remain clear of the mall during the investigation. The FBI has labeled this attack as ideologically motivated violence, and the Justice Department has denounced it as a senseless act of aggression amidst a troubling climate of hostility towards Jewish Americans.

This incident follows a pattern of violence that has escalated in the United States, especially related to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has seen significant casualties and humanitarian crises. The ongoing conflict, which escalated after Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023, continues to exacerbate tensions, leading to tragic outcomes both locally and internationally.