A suspect is in custody after what the FBI is asking a “targeted act of violence” at Pearl Avenue Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday.
Witnesses mentioned the suspect used a “makeshift flamethrower” and threw Molotov cocktails that burned a number of victims throughout a march in help of Israeli hostages, in response to an FBI official. Six individuals had been injured.
The suspect was recognized as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, FBI Particular Agent in Cost Mike Michalek mentioned Sunday night. Soliman was allegedly heard yelling “free Palestine” throughout the assault, in response to Michalek, who mentioned that it was “clear this is a targeted act of violence” and it’s being investigated as an act of terrorism.
A stroll to recollect the Israeli hostages who stay in Gaza was happening in Boulder’s downtown on the time of the assault. Two sources mentioned witnesses informed investigators the suspect additionally allegedly yelled “End Zionist!” throughout the assault.
The victims of the assault ranged in age from 67-88, police mentioned. One was critically injured, with Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn saying it could be “safe to say” that individual was in vital situation.
The individuals who had been injured had been exterior the historic Boulder County Courthouse at thirteenth Avenue and Pearl Avenue. A burn scar might be seen within the house in entrance of the constructing. Witnesses mentioned they noticed individuals writhing on the bottom and folks working with water to attempt to assist instantly afterward. UCHealth confirmed that two victims had been flown by helicopter to its burn unit. 4 others had been taken to Boulder Group Hospital, police mentioned. All six victims had been nonetheless being handled as of seven p.m. native time, in response to Redfearn.
Because of the assault, which occurred at 1:26 p.m. native time, three blocks of Pearl Avenue have been evacuated and remained closed to the general public as of 6 p.m. Investigators mentioned there was a car of curiosity in that zone, which an FBI official later mentioned belonged to the suspect.
FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino described the incident as a terrorist assault and mentioned round 3:30 p.m. that FBI brokers had been on the scene.
Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard mentioned on social media, “The @ODNIgov’s National Counterterrorism Center is working with the FBI and local law enforcement on the ground investigating the targeted terror attack against a weekly meeting of Jewish community members who had just gathered in Boulder, CO to raise awareness of the hostages kidnapped during Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Thank you to first responders and local authorities for your quick response and action.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis posted on X, “I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Run For Their Lives, which organized the stroll, mentioned, “This is not a protest; it is a peaceful walk to show solidarity with the hostages and their families, and a plea for their release.” The group met at 1 p.m. at Pearl Avenue and eighth Avenue to stroll the size of the Pearl Avenue Mall and again with a cease on the courthouse for a video.
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Ed Victor, who was taking part within the stroll, mentioned they’ve been holding these silent marches each week since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terror assault to lift consciousness for the hostages nonetheless in Gaza. They cease on the courthouse to sing songs, inform tales and skim the names of the hostages every week. He mentioned round 30 individuals had been taking part in Sunday’s stroll.
Victor mentioned that the marchers often encounter hecklers, however they fight to not reply and proceed peacefully down Pearl Avenue. Individuals additionally typically nod, clap or thank them as they stroll by, he added. He mentioned that he by no means anticipated that somebody would assault them.
“So we stood up, lined up in front of the old Boulder courthouse, and I was actually on the far west side. And there was somebody there that I didn’t even notice, although he was making a lot of noise, but I’m just focused on my job of being quiet and getting lined up. And, from my point of view, all of a sudden, I felt the heat. It was a Molotov cocktail equivalent, a gas bomb in a glass jar, thrown. Av [another marcher] saw it, a big flame as high as a tree, and all I saw was someone on fire,” mentioned Victor.
Victor mentioned they tried to place the fireplace out. As one other marcher with medical expertise stepped in to care for her, Victor stayed along with her husband to consolation him. He mentioned volunteers additionally rushed in to assist, bringing water.
“I saw the aftermath,” mentioned road performer Peter Irish. “It was like minutes after. I came out, it was chaos, people were writhing on the ground. It was traumatic to watch, to be honest with you. It was chaos.”
A joint assertion from Boulder’s Jewish group mentioned:
We’re saddened and heartbroken to study that an incendiary gadget was thrown at walkers on the Run for Their Lives stroll on Pearl Avenue as they had been elevating consciousness for the hostages nonetheless held in Gaza.
We don’t have all the main points of what’s unfolding, and we promise to maintain our group knowledgeable.
Our hearts exit to those that witnessed this horrible assault, and prayers for a speedy restoration to those that had been injured.
We’re in contact with regulation enforcement about our Boulder Jewish group, and security is our highest precedence. We’re working carefully with SCN, Boulder PD, and the FBI. We’re grateful for the primary responders who’re caring for our injured.
We are going to proceed to work collectively to share info and supply help for our group. When occasions like this enter our personal group, we’re shaken. Our hope is that we come collectively for each other.
Energy to you all.
Lawyer Normal Phil Weiser denounced the assault and supplied to assist the victims in a launch Sunday afternoon.
My ideas are with these injured and impacted by as we speak’s assault towards a gaggle that meets weekly on Boulder’s Pearl Avenue Mall to name for the discharge of the hostages in Gaza.
From what we all know, this assault seems to be a hate crime given the group that was focused. I’ve been in contact with Boulder District Lawyer Michael Dougherty and have supplied help from the Lawyer Normal’s Workplace.
Individuals could have differing views about world occasions and the Israeli-Hamas battle, however violence is rarely the reply to settling variations. Hate has no place in Colorado. All of us have the correct to peaceably assemble and the liberty to talk our views. However these violent acts—which have gotten extra frequent, brazen, and nearer to house—should cease and people who commit these horrific acts should be absolutely held to account.
